ASHA workers meet health department officials

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The relentless struggle by the state’s accredited social health activists (ASHA workers) is beginning to bear fruit. 

The meeting held between the representatives of the ASHAs and officials of the department of health and family welfare services on Thursday sought to resolve several demands put forth by the workers, especially in view of their services amidst Covid-19.ASHA workers have been fighting for dues for over two years.

“The authorities told us that our incentives and honoraria would be paid. They have also agreed to withdraw orders that mandated us to perform tasks that are outside the ambit of ASHAs,” said Nagalakshmi, General Secretary of the Karnataka Rajya Samyukta ASHA Karyakartara Sangha.
Uniforms are reportedly being distributed, and the diaries used by ASHAs are set to be modified according to their requirements.

About 42,000 ASHA workers in the state have been affected by the lack of timely payment of incentives and honoraria. The meeting with the officials also saw a discussion on retirement benefits for the ASHAs, which are likely to be extended by the Department in response to their demand.