A mother in Kashmir lost her newborn in Kashmir after she delivered the baby on road in Srinagar. The woman, a resident of Kupwara district of north Kashmir, delivered the baby girl on the road, but the family could not save the baby.

According to a PTI report, a hospital refused to admit her. Divisional commissioner of Kashmir has ordered an enquiry.

Meanwhile, mainstream politicians have demanded action against the doctors.

THE INCIDENT

The incident happened on Thursday (January 17) night after the woman from remote Moore village of Kalaroos area of Kupwara developed labour pain at her home earlier during the day.

A family member of the woman said she was taken to Kalaroos hospital on a cot by a few people as the road was not motorable because of snow.

"The doctors there referred her to Kupwara hospital, from where she was further referred to Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar," the family member said according to the PTI report.

He said the woman was kept under observation for a few hours at Lal Ded hospital, after which the doctors there allegedly refused her an overnight stay at the hospital.

Medical Superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital, Shabir Siddique said there were strict instructions to the doctors to keep patients from far-flung areas for an overnight stay at the hospital.

THE DEATH

The woman delivered a baby girl on the road. The baby girl but died.

Divisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan, ordered the enquiry to ascertain the factual position after reports of denial of entry of the pregnant woman into Lal Ded Hospital came to the fore.

Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday (January 19) ordered an enquiry after the woman gave birth to the baby on a road as doctors at the Valley's premier maternity care hospital allegedly refused her overnight stay at the medical facility, the PTI report said.

A news item has been posted on the social media.

It reveals the woman from remote area of Kupwara district was forced to deliver on the roadside after doctors of Government LD Hospital, Srinagar, the largest maternity care hospital in the Valley, did not allow her to stay in the hospital for a night and did not admit her on Thursday (January 17), Khan said in the enquiry order.

"We were told to leave the hospital. A doctor also misbehaved with us. After we left the hospital, she developed severe pain again and delivered a baby girl on the road. The new-born died immediately," the family member said.

"This news item needs a thorough enquiry to find out the factual position, so that appropriate action is taken against the concerned if found liable for such negligence/act," the order read.

Khan asked the enquiry officer to treat the matter most urgent.

"You are accordingly directed to enquire into the matter and furnish the inquiry report along with your explicit comments within two days, treating the matter most urgent," the order said.

THE PROTEST

The relatives and neighbours of the woman held a protest march at Press Enclave here on Saturday, demanding action and doctors and hospital administration, the PTI report said.

They also demanded establishment of a maternity care hospital in Kupwara and accommodation at Srinagar for patients from such far-flung areas.

POLITICIAN DEMAND ACTION

According to the PTI report, the mainstream politicians have demanded action against the doctors.

"I hope the state functionaries working under the command of @jandkgovernor take immediate action in this tragic case," National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

"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," former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Twitter.

Jammu and Kashmir pradesh Congress committee president GA Mir expressed serious concern over the incident and described it as shameful, deplorable and unfortunate.

Former minister and Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajad Lone has also demanded action in the case.

"Woman gives birth on road. It is imperative that action is taken. Overall there is a dire need to reorient health devices to challenges of Today," Lone wrote on Twitter.

The woman gave birth to the baby girl on road in Srinagar after the hospital refused to admit her; the baby dies and the probe has been ordered.