Shillong, Oct 30: The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) workers in Meghalaya have resorted to agitation by “taking rest” at home in order to put pressure on the state government to meet their demands including enhancement of monthly honorarium.

The ASHA workers under the banner of Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union (MASHAWU) have directed all ASHA workers to abstain from work by taking rest at home from Monday (October 30) to November 6.

This statement came after the delegation of community health workers (ASHA), under the MASHAWU on Monday met the Health Minister, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh.

The delegation met Health Minister Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh on Wednesday to apprise her on various grievances concerning their day-to-day functioning.

Speaking to reporters, Sony Kharjana, the adviser of the Union, said the ASHA workers had apprised the Health Minister to enhance their honorarium of Rs. 2000 per month and to implement or incorporate free medical benefits or treatments either from MHIS or any other schemes.

On the removal of ASHA without any valid reasons, Kharjana said that sometimes the ASHA has been terminated without any valid reasons. Kharjana also said that in some instances, there have been cases that the ASHA has been removed from work just because of personal reasons with village headman.

In regarding the health care benefits to be provided to the ASHA workers. The Minister has assured that the matter will taken up by the concerned department to collect all details of the ASHA workers to carry forward the implementation of this health benefits from the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) with hundred percent coverage.

She also stressed on the need of enhancing the honorarium of the ASHA so they can earn more to adjust with the frequent increasing prices of essential items.

Although no assurances were given by the minister for the matter of enhancement of the Honorarium, however, Kharjana said the minister has assured to take up the issue of enhancement with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma on November 6.

Therefore, the ASHA Union has decided to take a break from work until November 6, and based on the outcome, the Union will determine future courses of action.

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