Where Beauty Meets Struggle
There are places where beauty and hardship live side by side — where snow-capped peaks shine above, but the valleys below are marked by struggle. Neelum Valley, in the heart of Azad Kashmir, is one such place.
Mountains rise high into the mist. Rivers cut through forested slopes. Villages cling to the edges of cliffs. Yet behind these postcard scenes, thousands of people live without access to even the most basic healthcare.
Over recent weeks, Kashmir Welfare Foundation took a bold step to bridge that gap — not just with medicine, but with mercy. Not just with doctors, but with dignity.
Across four villages — Leswa, Rawta, Janwai, and Surgan — our Medical Camps in Neelum Valley brought free healthcare to over 1,000 patients, many of whom had not seen a doctor in years.
The Road Less Travelled
Getting to Neelum Valley is not easy. The roads are narrow, carved into cliffs, and often blocked by landslides. Some communities can only be reached by motorbike or on foot.
But the Kashmir Welfare Foundation Medical Camps team, led by Trustee Abdul Basit, made the journey anyway.
“It’s not just about reaching the destination,” Abdul Basit shared. “It’s about reminding these people that they are not forgotten — that their health matters just as much as anyone else’s.”
These Medical Camps were organised in close coordination with local communities and the Health Department. Rather than duplicating services, our goal was to increase healthcare capacity — bringing specialist doctors, distributing free medicines, and ensuring that those most in need received the care they deserved.
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When Healthcare Comes to You
In Leswa’s Basic Health Unit (BHU), patients began arriving before sunrise. Some walked for miles. Others were carried by family members. Mothers wrapped their children in shawls to keep them warm as they waited.
The BHU building stood there, but it lacked the essentials — no equipment, no permanent doctor, no medicine. That morning, however, it transformed into a place of hope.
By midday, the Medical Camp was in full flow — with triage stations, consultation tents, and a pharmacy distributing life-saving medicine.
One of the first patients was Zafar Khan, 68, suffering from chest pain for months. “There is no doctor here,” he said quietly. “We go to Athmuqam or Muzaffarabad, but it costs too much. This is the first time someone has listened to me in a long time.”
He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and given free medication — along with a follow-up plan for long-term care.
In Rawta, a young mother named Shazia brought her three-year-old daughter who had been struggling with fevers. The volunteer paediatrician suspected a chronic infection, provided treatment, and referred the child for further blood work.
These are not statistics. These are human stories of relief, dignity, and renewed faith.
Women at the Heart of Healing
In the mountains of Neelum, women often face additional barriers to healthcare. A shortage of female doctors, social restrictions, and poor transport mean that many suffer in silence.
Our female nursing staff played an essential role in breaking that barrier. One nurse shared, “In Janwai, women waited until they saw me before stepping forward. They had held their pain inside for months — some for years. One woman cried simply because someone finally asked how she felt.”
Dozens of women were treated for severe anaemia, joint pain, and infections. Beyond medication, they received health education on hygiene and nutrition — knowledge that will help protect entire families in the months ahead.
A Community Effort Rooted in Compassion
The success of the Kashmir Welfare Foundation Medical Camps came from unity — volunteers, local authorities, and the people of Neelum Valley working side by side.
Our local team members organised everything from tents to translations. Their familiarity with the region made the impossible possible.
We extend heartfelt thanks to:
- Assistant Commisioner Choudhry Basharat
- Representatives from the Health Department
- Local councillors and community leaders
Their partnership ensured the Medical Camps ran smoothly and safely across all four villages.
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Healing Beyond Numbers
Across Leswa, Rawta, Janwai, and Surgan, the Medical Camps achieved remarkable results:
- Over 1,000 patients treated
- Common conditions: diabetes, hypertension, respiratory infections, skin diseases, gynaecological issues, and childhood illnesses
- Free medicine distributed
- Referrals made to government hospitals for critical cases
- Health awareness sessions on hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care
Behind every number is a life transformed.
In Surgan, a 10-year-old boy named Rafiq was given his first inhaler. His mother said softly, “Now he can sleep at night.”
In Janwai, an elderly woman who had been bedridden with arthritis stood up after receiving treatment and said, “Today, I will walk to the bazaar again.”
These moments of recovery — small yet profound — are what make every Medical Camp worthwhile.
The Doctors Who Made It Happen
Our doctors and volunteers were the backbone of this mission. Dr Tahir, Dr Saqib, and Dr Shabbir led the team with compassion and professionalism.
“What touched me most,” said Dr Tahir, “was how grateful they were for the simplest things — a blood pressure check, some eye drops, a kind word. These are luxuries for many here.”
Their selfless service turned these mountain villages into temporary hubs of healing and hope.
Lessons from Neelum — and the Road Ahead
The Medical Camps in Neelum Valley made one truth clear: access to basic healthcare in remote Kashmir remains a challenge.
A few days of free care are not enough. Sustainable change requires consistency and collaboration. That’s why Kashmir Welfare Foundation is now planning to:
- Launch monthly mobile Medical Camps in remote regions
- Establish permanent community health centres
- Train local health workers to provide basic care
- Expand female-led outreach programmes for women’s health
Every step is designed to build capacity, not dependency — ensuring that these mountain communities can stand on their own, with dignity and health.
Your Donations Can Save Lives
Our Medical Camps in Neelum Valley were a success — but they were only the beginning.
For every patient we reached, there are many more still waiting in villages hidden deep within the hills. Children without doctors. Mothers praying for help. Elders suffering quietly.
Your donation can help us reach them.
- £10 provides essential medicine for one patient.
- £40 sponsors a family’s healthcare for a month.
- £850 funds an entire Medical Camp for a day.
Donate to Medical Camps. Save Lives. Reach Those Most In Need
Together, we can bring healthcare to every forgotten corner of Kashmir — restoring not just health, but hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main health challenges in Neelum Valley?
The region lacks permanent doctors, medical supplies, and accessible transport. Many Basic Health Units stand empty due to poor infrastructure and funding shortages.
2. How do Kashmir Welfare Foundation Medical Camps reach such remote areas?
Our teams coordinate with local authorities and travel by jeep, motorbike, and sometimes on foot to reach cut-off communities.
3. Are the Medical Camps Zakat-eligible?
Yes. Medical Camps supporting poor patients are fully Zakat-eligible. You can also give Sadaqah or Regular Giving to support ongoing healthcare work.
4. Can I fund a full Medical Camp?
Yes. A £850 donation covers medicines, logistics, and staff for a one-day camp treating up to 300 patients.
5. How can I stay updated on future Medical Camps?
Follow the Kashmir Welfare Foundation website and social media for updates, field photos, and detailed impact reports from every camp.
