The death of a pregnant woman sparked a protest in Banihal town of Ramban district on Thursday while agitated protesters much to the discomfort of the commuters blocked the traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway for hours. The woman according to protesters died due to non-availability of Gynecologist in the Sub-District Hospital Banihal.The deceased woman has been identified as Zubaida Begum, wife of Mushtaq Ahmed Magray of Ashar Banihal. A family member of the deceased woman told CNS that after suffering from acute labour pain, Zubaida was admitted in the sub-district hospital Banihal on Thursday morning, but to their shock they didn’t find a single doctor available in the hospital.
“We repeatedly called Health officials and some doctors on the phone but nobody responded,” he said.The family members said that Zubaida could have survived, if doctors would have attended her. “After the loss of first crucial hour, a lady medical officer Dr Rubeena arrived in the hospital and declared Zubaida dead,” they said.The death of the woman sparked massive protest against Block Medical Officer Banihal while people disrupted the vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu highway demanding stern action against the doctors and BMO. Police and administrative officials who rushed to spot failed to pacify the agitated protesters.A Health official told CNS that medical officer Dr Rubeena has been placed under suspension while Block Medical Officer Banihal has been appointed enquiry officer to probe the matter. “BMO in fact has been directed to complete the probe within five days,” the official said. (CNS)