GILGIT: A sudden increase in appendicitis cases in Shimshal Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, has created fear among local residents.

More than 30 patients, mostly children, have been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital and Aga Khan Medical Centre in Aliabad, Hunza.

Local residents said they faced serious difficulties in transporting patients to other areas due to a lack of medical facilities and transportation in the valley.

They said most of the patients, mainly children, were referred to other areas as Shimshal is a remote valley without an ambulance service.

The area lacks proper medical facilities, has only one surgeon, and faces an acute shortage of medicines, they added.

Locals noted that families with low-income backgrounds cannot afford the high cost of transport between Shimshal and central Hunza.

Asif Sakhi, a local representative, said the rising number of appendicitis cases was alarming for such a remote area.

He said many patients referred to other areas could not be transported due to high costs.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) local leader Rehan Shah said that 21 children from Shimshal had been shifted to the Gulmit area of Gojal in critical condition, while nine others were sent from the same valley for treatment.

He demanded the appointment of doctors in the area and the provision of ambulances and other resources to control the situation.

According to a statement issued by the GB Health Department, it has received reports of a sudden outbreak of appendicitis in Shimshal village of Hunza district.

It said that, according to initial information, more than 30 patients have been affected since July and were shifted to Gulmit, Aliabad, DHQ Hospital Aliabad, and Aga Khan Medical Centre Aliabad for examination and treatment.

Measures taken include the deployment of a special medical team, free treatment for affected patients and assistance under the Health Insurance Scheme.

Political leaders and civil society activists have expressed concern over the rising number of appendicitis cases among locals in Shimshal, particularly children, and demanded the declaration of a health emergency in the area to control the situation.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2025