MUZAFFARABAD: Acting on the directives of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, a truck carrying essential medical equipment was dispatched on Friday to support a medical mission in the snow-affected Neelum Valley.
The equipment, including an ultrasound machine, delivery tables, delivery kits, and gynecological emergency supplies, was sent to address the dire medical needs in the snowbound villages of Halmat and Janawai, located in the Gurez sub-valley of Neelum.
Earlier, a seven-member emergency medical response team, comprising four male and three female doctors, was airlifted to the upper Neelum Valley on Thursday using military helicopters. The initiative, in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, was launched in response to increasing medical emergencies and insufficient healthcare facilities in the region.
The urgency of the situation became evident after two pregnant women tragically died in January due to the lack of medical services and inaccessible roads. One incident involved a 21-year-old woman who succumbed while being carried on foot from Tao butt Bala to a health facility in Kel.
The emergency team has established a base camp in Halmat village and will provide healthcare services there until February 6. A video shared by officials showed the team treating critically ill patients and evacuating some to Kel and Muzaffarabad via military helicopters.
Divisional Commissioner Masood ur Rehman confirmed that additional medical supplies were promptly dispatched following requests from the field team. The Department of Health and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) worked together to ensure timely delivery and logistical support.
The operation is being personally overseen by Secretary Health Brig Muhammad Fareed, with daily progress reports sent to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Commissioner Rehman expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Army, government employees, and volunteers for their contributions in sub-zero temperatures.
Meanwhile, Neelum Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Ahmed Janjua reported the successful clearance of the main road to Tao butt despite temperatures plummeting to -15°C. This marks the first time in years that the road has been cleared in January, thanks to the efforts of public works department staff and other government servants.
The emergency response mission is set to expand to other snowbound areas, including Sharda, Phulawai, and nearby villages, in a second phase. This remarkable effort underscores the commitment of the AJK administration and its partners in addressing the healthcare crisis in Neelum Valley's remote and challenging terrain.