Shillong, June 21: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) general secretary Mr. Roy Kupar Synrem today has written to the Chief Minister Mr. Cornad K Sangma urging him to address the problems face by the ASHA workers, letter was also sent to the Health Minister Mr A L Hek and the Director Dr Aman War.
In the letter sent to the Chief Minister the HYC stated that, ASHA Workers are integral part of the institutional healthcare structure in our Country and our State. Since the first reported cases of the Virus in our State.
Healthcare professionals have been activated to tackle this public health emergency and ASHAs, who are meant to act as an “interface between the community and the public healthcare system” have been deployed as the first line of defense to manage the pandemic.
During this pandemic time, they have been tasked by the Government to conduct a door-to-door survey of the returnees, collect informations, check for symptoms and monitor the health and wellbeing of people who are quarantined besides delivering them medicines and other kits.
That, however they are continued to be treated at subpar by the Government and they are not being recognised for their hard work and dedication and most importantly are not being paid their dues for years altogether besides being paid a meagre sum as an Honorarium.
That, in our State also these ASHAs under the banner of Meghalaya ASHA Workers Union (MAWU) have time and again raised various issues of unpaid incentives as well as enhancement of honorarium with the State Government which is sad to say are left unattended to the point that they are left with no option but to stage protest and strike.
That, MAWU has announced an indefinite strike of ASHA workers in our State from the 19th of June, 2021 against non-payment of their incentives as well as demand for raising their honorarium from the existing rate of Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 per month besides other issues of the Union members.
The HYC felt that the demand made by the MAWU are valid and logical demands of the Union which requires immediate action from the State Government especially during this time where the service of the ASHAs is inevitable in the fight against Corona Virus.
They should be given due recognition and rewards for their services and invaluable role at the grassroots healthcare system. The HYC hope that the Chief Minister will take necessary steps accordingly to address the issues of ASHAs, said Mr Roy Kupar Synrem general secretary of the HYC.
