A Mother’s Silent Battle in Kotli
In a small village near Charhoi, Kotli, nestled among Kashmir’s emerald hills, a mother’s pain became a turning point for an entire community. Shameem, a 37-year-old mother of four, had spent months battling severe chest pains. Each morning she rose before dawn to cook, clean, and care for her children, masking her discomfort behind quiet smiles.
She told no one of her suffering. Her husband earned barely enough to keep food on the table. Doctor visits, tests, and medicines felt like luxuries reserved for others. Like countless women in Azad Kashmir, Shameem put her family’s needs before her own.
“I thought about going to the hospital,” she later recalled, her eyes brimming with tears. “But how could I spend money we didn’t have when my children needed food and schoolbooks?”
Her story mirrors the reality of thousands of families in Kotli and beyond. The breathtaking beauty of the valleys hides a painful truth: healthcare is out of reach for many who need it most.
The Harsh Reality Behind Kashmir’s Beauty
According to the AJK Bureau of Statistics (2024), Azad Kashmir has just one doctor for every 3,886 people and one hospital bed for every 1,512 residents. In Kotli, home to nearly 856,000 people—almost a fifth of the region’s population—the shortage of healthcare facilities is severe.
There are only 7 district hospitals and 14 tehsil hospitals across all of AJK. Most rural families live hours from the nearest one. For those in mountain villages, reaching a doctor can mean an exhausting walk through treacherous terrain or an expensive taxi journey they simply cannot afford.
Diseases like heart failure, hypertension, pneumonia, and diabetes remain among the leading causes of death in the region. Yet many of these conditions could be prevented or treated early with timely medical access.
For Shameem, the lack of healthcare could easily have cost her life.
A Chance Encounter with Hope
In early spring, Kashmir Welfare Foundation organised one of its free medical camps in Kotli, part of our long-term mission to reach communities where hospitals do not exist. Hundreds attended, some walking miles through rough terrain.
Among them was Shameem. Weak, pale, and anxious, she arrived barely able to stand. Her eldest daughter, Amira, held her arm as they waited quietly in line. When Dr. Aisha—a volunteer physician from Muzaffarabad—saw her, she immediately noticed the danger.
“I saw fear in her eyes but also a glimmer of hope,” Dr. Aisha recalled. “It was clear she had been suffering for a long time.”
Tests revealed early signs of heart disease. Without intervention, a heart attack was imminent. Our team provided medication, arranged follow-up care, and offered dietary guidance. Within days, Shameem began to regain strength. Her children saw her smile again.
But this was more than just one woman’s recovery—it was a symbol of why we must take healthcare to Kashmir’s remotest corners.
The Health Crisis in Numbers
Azad Kashmir 2024 Health Snapshot (AJK Bureau of Statistics):
- 1 doctor for every 3,886 people
- 1 hospital bed for every 1,512 residents
- 856,000 people in Kotli District alone
- 104 maternal deaths per 100,000 births
- Heart disease and hypertension among top causes of death
- Over 80% of people live in rural areas with limited access
These numbers represent human lives—mothers, fathers, and children—struggling in silence.
Beyond Treatment: A Ripple of Change
Our work did not stop when Shameem received her diagnosis. We connected her to ongoing community support, ensuring her medication continued. Her children were taught about nutrition and early symptoms of illness.
Soon, something beautiful happened: her family became health ambassadors in their village. They began teaching others about preventive care—spreading the same knowledge that had saved their mother’s life.
“I never thought I could feel this good again,” Shameem told us during a follow-up visit. “Kashmir Welfare Foundation didn’t just save my life; they gave my family a future.”
Her daughter Amira now dreams of becoming a doctor. “I used to want to teach,” she said shyly. “Now I want to heal.”
Why Kashmir Needs a Mobile Hospital
While medical camps have transformed lives, they remain temporary solutions. For lasting change, we need mobility. That is why Kashmir Welfare Foundation is raising funds for a Mobile Hospital Unit—a lifeline on wheels that will bring essential medical services directly to people like Shameem.
Imagine an equipped mobile clinic with doctors, diagnostic tools, and essential medicines, driving across the valleys of Kotli, Neelum, and Poonch. It will treat the sick, train local health workers, and provide emergency response in isolated villages.
Abdul Basit, Trustee of Kashmir Welfare Foundation, explains it simply:
“Every life we touch is a step towards a healthier, more prosperous Kashmir. This isn’t just about medical care—it’s about dignity, hope, and equality.”
Join the Mission to Heal Kashmir
Every donation brings us closer to launching this Mobile Hospital Unit. Your support can put doctors on the road, medicine in the hands of patients, and hope back into homes across the mountains.
Sponsor the Mobile Health Unit, urgently needed In Kashmir
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
The Broader Vision: Healthcare for All
Shameem’s story reflects a much larger truth. In Azad Kashmir, women make up 68% of the literate population, yet cultural and financial barriers still prevent many from seeking timely care. When mothers fall ill, entire families suffer—education halts, incomes drop, and futures fade.
Our vision goes beyond short-term relief. Through your Zakat, Sadaqah, and Regular Giving, we are:
- Expanding mobile healthcare coverage in Kotli, Neelum, and Muzaffarabad.
- Training female health workers to reach isolated villages.
- Providing maternal care and health education to women and girls.
- Delivering free medicines and diagnostic testing in underserved regions.
Each project strengthens the foundation of a healthier Kashmir—one where access to care is a right, not a privilege.
The Power of UK Donors
UK donors have always been the heartbeat of our work. Your generosity bridges continents, turning compassion into tangible impact. When you donate, you’re not just sending aid—you’re sending doctors, medicine, and hope to families who have nowhere else to turn.
For every mobile hospital mile travelled, every life saved, every smile restored, there’s a British Muslim donor who made it happen.
And if you’re a UK taxpayer, there’s an easy way to make your impact go even further.
UK Gift Aid Reminder
If you’re a UK taxpayer, tick the Gift Aid box when donating. It increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost, extending your mercy even further. A £40 donation instantly becomes £50—helping us reach more families like Shameem’s.
Why Give Now?
Tonight, thousands in Azad Kashmir will go to bed without access to a doctor. In remote villages, a simple infection or untreated fever can turn fatal. Your donation today can send life-saving care where it’s needed most.
A single act of kindness today can save a life tomorrow.
Sponsor the Mobile Health Unit, urgently needed In Kashmir
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
How Your Donation Helps
Every pound you give moves us closer to operational readiness for the Mobile Hospital Unit. Your donations will:
- Fund medical equipment and emergency supplies.
- Train healthcare volunteers and drivers.
- Cover outreach to villages beyond Kotli, including Neelum and Leepa.
- Support follow-up care and health education workshops.
This is how we build a resilient Kashmir—through action, compassion, and faith.
Our Process of Care
- Assessment – We identify communities most in need through data from the AJK Bureau of Statistics.
- Deployment – Teams of doctors, nurses, and volunteers reach the villages via medical camps.
- Treatment – Immediate diagnosis, free medicine, and referrals for serious cases.
- Follow-Up – Regular check-ins with patients and family education.
- Expansion – Our goal: one mobile hospital serving every major district by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Mobile Hospital Unit?
A fully equipped vehicle with doctors, diagnostic tools, and medicine, designed to bring healthcare directly to remote villages in Azad Kashmir.
2. How will my donation be used?
Funds will go towards purchasing the vehicle, medical supplies, equipment, and operating costs to deliver year-round care to remote communities.
3. Can I donate my Zakat or Sadaqah towards this project?
Yes. The Mobile Hospital Unit is eligible for both Zakat and Sadaqah donations, helping fulfil your obligation while saving lives.
4. How many people will benefit from one Mobile Hospital Unit?
Each unit will serve thousands annually, reaching up to 50 villages with both preventive and emergency care.
5. Can UK donors claim Gift Aid?
Yes, if you’re a UK taxpayer, ticking Gift Aid adds 25% to your donation at no cost, amplifying the impact of your generosity.
A Message from the Field
Zafer Iqbal, Head of Projects in Kotli, reflects on the change he’s witnessed:
“When we first met Shameem, her village had no medical facility within 15 kilometres. Now she’s healthy and helping others learn about prevention. This is what transformation looks like.”
Shameem’s survival was no miracle—it was the result of compassion turned into action. With your help, we can ensure no mother in Kashmir suffers in silence again.
Let’s build this lifeline together.
Donate now to the Mobile Hospital Unit
Sponsor the Mobile Health Unit, urgently needed In Kashmir
Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
In Kashmir, a journey to the nearest doctor can take hours. But with your mercy, healthcare can arrive in minutes.
Together, we can turn mountains into pathways of hope.
