SHILLONG, Dec 15: The state government has informed that ever since the adoption of ASHA Pay application, there has been no delay in the payment to ASHA workers in Meghalaya.
Addressing a gathering of ASHA Conference for East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi, which was held in the city on Thursday, Principal Secretary of Health department Sampath Kumar informed that Meghalaya is the only state in India to make payments to ASHA workers via ASHA Pay app.
Appreciating the efforts of ASHA workers, Kumar also reminisced about the time when he first started working with ASHA workers in his capacity as the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills.
“Back then in 2005, the immunisation rate was only 14 per cent for the whole state. With the sincere efforts of the ASHAs, now in the year 2022, immunisation has reached 90 per cent in the state,” an elated Kumar informed.
He also informed that the ASHA workers have played an imperative role in the reduction of the number of malaria cases in Meghalaya.
Health Minister James Sangma, who also was part of the conference, informed that in the last few years, there has been a significant increase in performance in the state’s healthcare sector.
He attributed the same to the endeavours of the ASHA workers.
Informing that the state government is mindful of the challenges that are faced by ASHA workers every day, the health minister said that with the support system provided by the Village Health Councils (VHCs), the ASHAs would feel more empowered.
He also announced that posts for 400 medical officers will soon be filled up and 150 new sub-centers will also come up in the state.
It may be mentioned that during the conference, several activities were organised such as a welcome song by the ASHA workers of Ri-Bhoi and a short skit on awareness about the daily activities of ASHA workers by the ASHA workers from Mawphlang PHC.
During the programme, the best-performing ASHA workers from each district, including best-performing ASHA facilitators at district and block levels, were also felicitated by the health minister.
The best-performing Village Health Councils from all the 11 blocks were also awarded during the conference.
“The ASHA Union also presented gifts to the Health Minister along with other dignitaries with a bag. The bag is meant to symbolise the things that an ASHA carries with her, which is full and laden with her numerous responsibilities,” a statement in this regard said.
Three videos produced by the Health department and National Health Mission on Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme, ASHA Pay and VHC were screened during the programme.
