Two months & no result: ASHAs to continue protest

SHILLONG: Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union will continue their over two-month-old strike that may affect the ongoing Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, especially in rural areas.
The health workers started their protest on August 20 over the government’s delay in paying salary.
President of the union Sorilang Marboh said on Wednesday the ASHA Benefit Scheme (ABS) and Meghalaya Maternity Benefit Scheme (MMBS) have been pending since 2014 and 2012, respectively.
Sonny Kharjana, advisor to the union, said the members met Health Minister AL Hek on May 10 and informed him about non-payment of dues.
The ASHAs, or Accredited Social Health Activists, did not get assurance from health officials.
The union demanded similar state share as that of the anganwadi workers.
In the absence of ASHA workers, the government is facing difficulties in reaching out to people for Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, the union claimed.
“The state government is at a loss as ASHAs updated records of births and deaths, eligible couples, infant and child deaths (statistics),” Marboh said.
Last month, ASHAs in Garo Hills called off their strike after authorities concerned assured them that dues would be cleared.
Two days ago, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had told a gathering at 3rd North East Healthcare Leadership Summit that activities of ASHAs should be monitored and they should be motivated.
Sangma had said he was surprised to learn that 6,000 ASHAs could not reach villages and children and had added, “Maybe something is going wrong and maybe we are not able to motivate them enough.”
Meghalaya is among the many states where ASHAs are protesting in demand for permanent jobs and better salary.