By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 13: As Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers gear up for their protest to pressure the state government to fulfill their demands, the Health and Family Welfare department has voiced its concern over the ASHAs embarking on a period of ‘rest from work’.
It may be mentioned that the ASHAs have decided to launch an indefinite strike after the state government expressed its inability to give any assurance to the agitating ASHAs.
In the latest statement, the Health department, however, said that the state government has taken up the concerns and issues raised by ASHA workers with utmost sincerity and dedication.
It stated that the government is firmly dedicated to the well-being of its frontline healthcare workers and “anticipates a pragmatic approach from all of them, acknowledging that meaningful systemic reforms require time and thoughtful deliberation for achieving a shared vision of a healthy community and the state at large.”
Pointing at the ‘ASHA First’ application, the department said that it has been consistent in disbursing payments, showcasing a commitment to timely and efficient compensation for the invaluable services provided by ASHA workers since its launch in October 2022.
An amount of Rs 21.89 crore has been released through the application in the last 12 months and a total of Rs 34.50 crore has been released in the last 18 months, the department said.
Reiterating the importance of ASHAS in the process of the delivery of essential healthcare services, the Health department said that any disruption in their services can have severe consequences for the health and well-being of the community. “…the recurrent threats for service suspension and strikes by ASHA workers union reflect negatively in the spirit of volunteerism, and disrupt community health services. Instances where such disruptions, particularly during agitation periods, have led to untoward incidents include a case of maternal death in Ri-Bhoi district during 2022,” the department said.
It remarked that such disruptions in essential health services are inadmissible and can have severe consequences for the communities at large.
In Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, ASHAs went on a strike which has affected the delivery of healthcare services in the district.
The workers are demanding an increase and timely disbursal of payments, and social security benefits.
The strike comes after Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh’s refusal to meet the workers’ demands.
President of the Meghalaya ASHA Workers Union Mirajune Myrsing lamented that the ASHAs are treated like “second-class” citizens. “We are overworked but underpaid and we don’t have the resources needed to do our jobs effectively,” she added.
ASHA workers were once classified by the minister as social workers and could work only for two years. However, Myrsing questioned the legality of this norm, stating that there is no such law under the National Health Mission (NHM).
She also pointed out that the NHM awards a golden handshake to ASHA workers who have worked for more than 10 years. This suggests that ASHA workers are not meant to work only for two years, she said. The Union president demanded that the government increase the honorarium and other statutory benefits for ASHA workers.
She said, “We will not go back to work until our demands are met.”