Nawada, Bihar: Strong protests carried out by ASHA workers continued at the sub-divisional hospital and PHC Rajauli, situated in the insurgency-affected Rajauli sub-division headquarters of the district, in pursuit of their persistent nine-point demands. These protests have resulted in a complete disruption of vaccination efforts at the OPD and PHC in the sub-divisional hospital.
Savitri Gupta, the District President of Asha Sangh, stated that the ongoing demonstration encompasses nine demands, including the call for a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 for ASHA workers and Rs 15,000 for Asha Facilitators. The protest continued from 6 am to 4 pm.
Asha, with henna applied on her left hand, displayed slogans condemning the Modi Sarkar (Modi Government) on one hand and Nitish and Tejashwi Sarkar on the other, alongside the demands for honorarium and recognition.
The District President of Asha highlighted that ASHA workers have been on an indefinite strike since July 12th. Despite this prolonged protest, the Central and State Governments have remained indifferent. Consequently, Asha has disrupted routine OPD and vaccination services, while ensuring emergency services are unaffected.
It was revealed that despite working tirelessly day and night for 30 days, ASHA workers are only paid for 20 days, a situation that has made it increasingly difficult for them to support their families. In contrast, ASHA workers in states like Jharkhand and Kerala receive proper honorarium. The demand is for similar treatment for Bihar’s ASHA workers. The protest will persist until their demands are addressed by the government.
The demonstration led by ASHA resulted in the complete closure of the registration counter at the OPD in the sub-divisional hospital. This unfortunate situation forced many patients who had arrived at the OPD to return home without receiving the necessary medical attention. Doctors Dilip Kumar, Dhirendra Kumar, and Neeraj Kumar, who were present at the hospital, were seen waiting in the OPD for patients.
The event was attended by numerous individuals, including ASHA members Manju Singh, Babita Kumari, and facilitators Banarasi Devi and Sangeeta Kumari.
