Poonch Grieves Again! Two Young Mothers Die in One Week at DH Poonch

Families Allege Negligence at District Hospital Poonch

Asia Kouser and Anjum Nisa; Twin Tragedies Shake Poonch to the Core

Families Accuse Hospital Staff of Negligence in Delivery Cases

Directorate Initiates High-Level Probe; Dr. Shehnaz Bhatti Moved to Rajouri

Public Seeks Suspension of CMO and MS Before Probe Starts

“System Took Two Mothers’ Lives – Now We Want Answers”

jj correspondent

Poonch, June 11: District Hospital Poonch, the region’s largest public healthcare facility, is now at the center of a severe credibility crisis. In just a span of six days, two young women Asia Kouser from Islamabad and Anjum Nisa from Gursai, Mendhar have tragically lost their lives after delivery procedures at the same hospital. Both families have squarely blamed the doctors and hospital management for medical negligence, and the public outrage is growing by the hour.

According to family members of Asia Kouser, a healthy young woman was admitted for delivery and underwent a surgical procedure under the supervision of the hospital staff. What was expected to be a routine childbirth turned into a funeral, leaving behind not just a newborn but unanswered questions and lifelong grief. The family alleges that doctors delayed critical treatment, and there was no senior gynaecologist readily available for the emergency care required.

In a horrifying just a few days later, Anjum Nisa, a resident of Gursai in Mendhar, died in similar circumstances. Her family claims that carelessness, lack of timely intervention, and apathy of medical staff led to her untimely death. “They kept telling us everything was under control, but she never woke up again,” said a close relative, holding back tears.

With both cases showing eerily similar patterns of alleged negligence, public confidence in District Hospital Poonch is now at its lowest ebb.

The people of Poonch are now united in outrage, demanding immediate suspension of both the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Medical Superintendent (MS) of District Hospital Poonch. “They must be held prima facie accountable before any eyewash inquiry begins,” said a protestor outside the hospital.

What has intensified the demand is the shocking fact that the Medical Superintendent himself, who also serves as an anaesthetist, was inside the operation theatre during both maternal deaths. His presence, while a young mother lost her life on the table, has raised serious doubts about his clinical decision-making and administrative oversight. Yet, no action has been taken against him, causing public fury.

Following mounting pressure and media attention, the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu has ordered a formal inquiry into the maternal deaths. As per the order number  (DHSJ/ES-3/1004-008) (dated June 11, 2025), a four-member committee has been formed to investigate the matter within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shahnaz Bhatti, the Consultant Gynaecologist at District Hospital Poonch, has been relieved of duty and attached to the CMO Office Rajouri. Ironically, she was the only gynaecologist actively available during this period and was known for her dedicated service.

Her sudden transfer has left many wondering: “Is the system punishing the one who worked, and protecting those who failed?”

From silent politicians to inactive civil society groups, the public’s anger is not just with the health department, but also with local elected leaders and NGOs who have chosen silence over support.

“If this had happened to someone powerful, there would have been candle marches and press conferences. But Asia and Anjum were poor. So their lives don’t matter?”  a local teacher questioned bitterly.

What happened in District Hospital Poonch isn’t just a medical tragedy. It’s a systemic failure, a betrayal of trust, and a moral collapse. Two young women walked into a hospital for one of life’s most joyous moments childbirth and came out in body bags. The people of Poonch are not just demanding an inquiry. They are demanding justice, reform, and an end to the culture of impunity.

If this moment is allowed to pass like all others, then the next Asia, the next Anjum, is not far behind.

One of the most burning questions raised by the public is: Why is the government’s transfer policy not being implemented in District Poonch? Despite clear guidelines mandating routine rotation of doctors and healthcare staff especially those in sensitive public service roles several officials in District Hospital Poonch have remained at the same place for over a decade. What is the invisible shield protecting them? Why have the same doctors been allowed to hold critical positions for 10+ years in violation of norms? Is there no monitoring mechanism from the Directorate of Health Services? Or is it that rules apply only to the powerless?

This selective retention not only breeds complacency and corruption but also raises the risk of institutional decay-as evidenced by the recent maternal tragedies. Until the transfer policy is enforced without bias, accountability will remain a hollow slogan, and such tragedies will continue to repeat.

One of the most pressing concerns voiced by the public is: Why is the government’s official transfer policy not being enforced in District Poonch? Despite clear administrative directives mandating routine transfers of medical personnel to avoid stagnation, influence, and complacency, several senior doctors and officials have been serving in the same positions for over a decade. Why have these postings become permanent? Who is shielding them?

Even more concerning, sources reveal that multiple complaints have been lodged against Dr. Shehnaz Bhatti, currently under scrutiny for alleged negligence, yet no disciplinary action has been taken so far. This repeated institutional inaction has only strengthened the perception that rules are flexible for the favoured few and accountability is optional for the privileged.

If the transfer norms are not implemented uniformly, and if complaints continue to be ignored, the healthcare system in Poonch will remain trapped in a cycle of negligence, internal politics, and loss of public trust.

Public faith in District Hospital Poonch is at an all-time low. Citizens ask: When will this end? How many more mothers must die before the system wakes up? The bereaved families are demanding not just answers but action. They seek an end to cosmetic inquiries and want criminal accountability, systemic reform, and policy enforcement.

The administration is now at a crossroads. The deaths of Asia Kouser and Anjum Nisa must not be reduced to statistics. The voices from Poonch are clear,

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Suspend the guilty. Reform the broken.”