Abandoned Sisters' Plight at J&K's SMHS Hospital; One Dies, Other Left Alone

Two abandoned sisters spent several months at SMHS Hospital in Jammu and Kashmir, struggling with serious health issues and no family support. The elder sister, around 52, suffered from a severe wound and gangrene in her right leg, while the younger sister dealt with severe depression and mental health problems. They were first admitted in October 2025 after living in harsh conditions, often sleeping on hospital benches and shrine staircases.

Doctors and volunteers provided most of their care since no family members helped. The elder sister was discharged after treatment but returned because no one at home could care for her wounds. By February 2026, both were readmitted as her condition worsened and the younger sister became silent and withdrawn.

On April 11, 2026, the elder sister went into septic shock again and was declared brain dead. She died weeks later in the same hospital ward. Volunteers woke the younger sister from sleep to tell her about the death. She remains hospitalized, facing illness, loneliness, and grief.

Police and volunteers tried to find their relatives, but none visited despite being informed. The sisters came from a poor family, and a rehabilitation center offered shelter, but the family stayed silent. The case shows serious gaps in mental health and social welfare for vulnerable people without family support.