Jhelum Valley, June 1 -- Healthcare access remains a major challenge in the Jhelum Valley district of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where residents say inadequate medical infrastructure and a shortage of specialised healthcare services are placing vulnerable patients at risk.

Despite the presence of a District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and a Basic Health Unit in Chinari, locals claim that critical patients are frequently referred to other cities due to the lack of advanced treatment facilities. At the same time, cases of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney-related illnesses are reportedly rising across the region, adding further strain to an already overburdened healthcare system.

Speaking about the situation, loc...