Anantnag woman’s death leaves many questions unanswered  


Afaq Bhat

Srinagar, Apr 27: Row over death of a pregnant woman from “Red Zone” in south Kashmir has stirred the hornet’s nest. The woman died after delivering dead twins at Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Anantnag last week.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Confusion has surrounded her death as a few officials have claimed that her test report for COVID-19 came positive after her death, while a few claimed that her report is awaited.”
The confusion led to LG’s Advisor, Baseer Khan, ordering a probe into her death and asking the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to send the people who performed her last rites into quarantine.
The analyst said, “Prime-facie it appears that there has been a major goof up. And if the deceased woman has tested positive for COVID-19 it would mean that a long chain of people has been created. There were allegations that woman was denied proper treatment when she was admitted in the hospital as she had arrived from a Red Zone. This is a serious issue and it needs to be looked into.”
He said, “Lapses in the times of crisis can lead to a big disaster. People who are at the helm have to be extra cautious and should learn from the mistakes which were committed by the countries that  were hit hard by the outbreak of COVID-19. Administration in Kashmir has been working hard to prevent the COVID-19 from spreading into the community. Slight carelessness on anyone’s part can ruin the hard work which is being put to contain this virus.”
An observer said, “First of all it has to be established whether the deceased woman was a COVID-19 death or she died of some other reason. The big question which the MCH Anantnag will have to answer is whether the woman was treated properly or she was left to die after it came to fore that she had come from the Red Zone area.”
He said, “At present entire Kashmir is looking towards the medicos for the help and if they turn their backs towards the common people it can aggravate the crisis and lead to many more deaths.”
Another analyst said, “Kashmir is facing a very difficult situation and everyone has to act responsibly to prevent the COVID-19 from tightening its grip in the Valley. At present we are caught in the quagmire of uncertainty. We have to help each other and act responsibly. The COVID-19 is very contagious and can wreak havoc if it gets transmitted into the community. So, let’s be responsible and act sensibly.”

Related Articles