Shillong, Nov 15: Amid the ongoing protest by Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union (MAWU) in different districts of Meghalaya demanding for an increase in their honorarium, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Wednesday once again made an appeal to the ASHA workers to come forward and have a discussion.

Though the health minister reiterated the role of ASHA workers and emphasised that they are voluntary workers who have come forward voluntarily in the healthcare system and would be given an incentive and that there was never from the start to a promise of any sort of salary.

In the recent agitations of the MAWU, protests were held in Nongstoiñ , Mawkyrwat, Jowai and other districts . Since November 6, the ASHA workers have seized work to demand an increase in their honorarium.

“There was no promise of any salary or anything beyond the activities that an ASHA is engaged in,” stated the health minister.

ASHAs have been given adequate monetary remuneration, with some hard working ASHAs having either Rs. 31,000 or some have got Rs. 60,000 for a period of six months, over and above their basic remuneration of Rs 2,000, informed the minister, providing the list of ASHA workers.

ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in Meghalaya receive various types of incentives as a recognition of their valuable contributions to community health. These incentives are designed to motivate and support ASHAs in their efforts to improve healthcare in rural as well as urban areas.

At present there are a total of 6811 ASHAs in the rural areas and 265 in the urban areas.

An ASHA is a critical healthcare figure in Meghalaya, playing a pivotal role in the implementation of various public health programs. ASHAs are community health workers who bridge the gap between the healthcare system and rural and urban communities, especially in the context of maternal health, child health and disease control programmes.

“Service to humanity is service to God. If there happens to be high risk pregnant mothers in any village and if ASHAs are going to turn their eyes away from the patient, I fear the worst for the citizens of Meghalaya. So I urge upon the ASHAs what can be done I will do. If you want me to meet you again I’m open to it. But please don’t disregard your duties,” mentioned Lyngdoh.

She also thanked other ASHA workers who have continued with their duty.

Also Read: Meghalaya’s ASHA workers protest in Jaintia Hills

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