Kashmir woman delivers stillborn on road as hospital refuses to admit her

Incident generates outrage in occupied valley; politicians seek action against perpetrators

A woman in occupied Kashmir, who was denied admission into a hospital in Srinagar, gave birth to a stillborn on Thursday.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the news of the incident came to light on Friday after the woman's family appeared before the media and blamed a doctor of using “offensive language” and refusing them admission despite the patient travelling in from as far as 130km.

The hospital has since removed the doctor, and an investigation into the incident has been ordered.

Suraya Begum, a resident of Mooree, had labour pain at her home and was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility.



“At Kupwara the doctors gave us an ambulance and referred us to Srinagar’s Lal Ded hospital where we reached at 4pm. They did some tests and then wrote a prescription telling us to go home at 8pm," said Khane Zaman, Begum's brother-in-law. "We requested them thrice to allow us to stay for the night but the doctor used objectionable language and forced us out of the hospital."

According to the relative, they had rushed to the hospital in an auto rickshaw, where the patient went into labour and gave birth to a stillborn.

The incident has generated outrage in Indian-held Kashmir with politicians seeking stringent action against perpetrators.

Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the People’s Democratic Party said that it was heart wrenching that a pregnant woman was turned away from a hospital.

“She later gave birth to a stillborn in frigid temperatures. Cannot even begin to fathom the pain and trauma the parents must feel,” she tweeted.

Heart wrenching that a pregnant woman was turned away from a hospital which ironically is named after the great Kashmiri mystic saint Lal Ded . She later gave birth to a still born in frigid temperatures. Cannot even begin to fathom the pain & trauma the parents must feel. https://t.co/NizgjW46W4

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 19, 2019

Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference hoped the state representatives will take immediate action against this incident.