Andhra Pradesh government approves gratuity, maternity leave, and higher retirement age for ASHAs
According to an official press release from the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, the government will provide gratuity of up to ₹5,000 per year, amounting to a total of ₹1.5 lakh at the time of retirement. With around 43,000 ASHAs in the State, the annual outlay for gratuity will amount to ₹645 crore.
The government has also sanctioned six months of paid maternity leave for the first two deliveries and increased the retirement age for ASHAs from 60 to 62 years — addressing long-standing demands that had led to State-wide protests towards the end of 2023.
Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning the gratuity funds despite the State's financial challenges, noting that the decision reflects a strong commitment to the welfare of ASHA workers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Albendazole drive held to curb anaemia in children
Tirupati: The district observed National Deworming Day (NDD) on Tuesday with a massive outreach programme targeting students aged 1 to 19 years across schools and colleges. The initiative, aimed at ensuring the good health and well-being of children, seeks to combat anaemia and improve overall health among the young population. District Collector Dr S Venkateswar formally inaugurated the programme by administering Albendazole tablets to students at Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Municipal Corporation High School in Korlagunta. Speaking on the occasion, he stressed that good health is as essential as education for students' growth and success. He announced that 4,97,511 students in the district's target group will receive Albendazole deworming tablets. Explaining the ill-effects of intestinal worms in children, the Collector said that students who were absent on Tuesday will be given the tablets on August 20, designated as the 'Mop-up Day'. District Medical and Health Officer Dr V Balakrishna Naik said the programme was being conducted in coordination with Anganwadi centres, schools, and colleges, involving ASHA workers, ANMs, school teachers, and anganwadi staff. He added that apart from deworming, children are being educated on anaemia prevention, personal handwashing habits, worm prevention measures, and the importance of avoiding open defecation by using toilets. The event was attended by District Education Officer Kumar, State Nodal Officers Dr Srinivasa Varma and Dr Soujanya Lakshmi, DPMO Dr Srinivasa Rao, RBSK Programme Officer Dr Reddy Prasad, UPHC Medical Officer Dr Sindhu, Deputy DEMOs Kiran Kumar and Khaja Vali, RBSK Manager Gunasekhar, Headmaster Ravi, and several teachers and staff members.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
People urged to encourage organ donation
Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Satya Kumar Yadav called for a concerted effort to increase organ donation awareness, stressing a significant gap between India's organ transplant capabilities and its donation rates. Speaking at the 'Jeevandan AP' event at GSL Medical College on International Organ Donation Day, he noted that while India ranks third globally in transplants, it is at 68th position in donations. The minister urged the public to overcome social stigma and encourage organ donation. The minister shared promising statistics for Andhra Pradesh, where a single donor's organs can save up to eight lives. In 2023, there were 41 donors and 126 transplants, which increased to 66 donors and 210 transplants in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, 54 donations have already resulted in 174 transplants. The event, which included a walkathon and a flash mob, honoured the families of organ donors. Following the awareness programme, Minister Yadav inaugurated seven new Advanced Integrated Modular Operation Theatres at GSL Medical College, built with a Rs 35 crore investment by GSL Institutions. According to Managing Director Dr Ganni Sandeep, these state-of-the-art facilities are equipped for complex surgeries, including organ transplants, and will reduce the need for patients to travel to other cities. The new theatres, which bring the total to 20, also feature high-speed connectivity for live telecasts of surgeries for medical education globally. Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy, MLC Somu Veerraju participated. A powerful public awareness event for organ donation was organised by 'Jeevandan AP', captivating the city with a rally and a flash mob. Dr Ganni Bhaskara Rao, Chairman of GSL Medical Institutions, delivered a moving speech, comparing organ donation to a family legacy of compassion. The event began with a Walkathon from the Government Hospital, featuring students and staff from GSL, Delta, and KIMS hospitals. Participants held placards as they marched to Kambala Park junction, where a dynamic flash mob dance and a 'face paint' exhibition drew a large crowd. Dr Ramaraju of KIMS Hospital and Dr K Rambabu of Jeevandan AP stressed the critical need for organ donation.
Hans India
8 hours ago
- Hans India
New cancer survey from Sept: Health minister
Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Satya Kumar Yadav announced a new cancer survey to be conducted across the state starting from September. The minister made the statement after the inauguration of the second and third floors of the Mother & Child Health Centre at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Rajamahendravaram on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said that the new NCD 3 (Non-Communicable Diseases) survey will focus on early detection of cancers like breast cancer and cervical cancer. He mentioned that renowned oncologist Dr Nori Dattatreyudu is providing valuable advice and guidance for the prevention of these cancers. The minister said that the coalition government's efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector are now yielding positive results. He pointed out that the number of OP (Outpatient) counters at the Rajahmundry hospital has been increased from four to 22, and new wheelchairs have been provided. The maintenance of restrooms has also been improved. The minister stated that the newly inaugurated two-story block, built with a special grant of Rs11 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), will significantly enhance medical services, especially for children. The second floor includes a PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit), a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Step Down HDU sections, and two 25-bed wards. The third floor houses two Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU 1 and SNCU 2), a mothers' ward, an ENT centre, and a dermatology centre. The children's ward has 75 beds, while the mothers' ward has 25 beds. He added that the new facility is on par with corporate hospitals, featuring centralised air conditioning and advanced equipment installed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The hospital now has the capability to provide retinopathy treatment for children with vision problems. The minister also shared the government's goals to reduce the MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) from 45 to 5 and the IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) from 23 to 2. Efforts are also being made to develop medical colleges, with Rs352 crore sanctioned for colleges in Paderu, Piduguralla, and Machilipatnam. He emphasised that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) are also being strengthened. The minister acknowledged a shortage of doctors, with 59% of posts vacant in super-specialty departments, and said that measures are being taken to address this issue. During his visit, the minister interacted with patients and doctors to understand their problems and needs. He also noticed cracks on the roof of the hospital building and ordered officials to fix them immediately. MLC Somu Veerraju, MLAs Bathula Balarama Krishna (Rajanagaram), Adireddy Srinivas (Rajahmundry City), RUDA Chairman Boddu Venkataramana Chowdary, Director of Medical Education Dr Venkatesh, Hospital Superintendent Dr G Rajasekhar Kennedy, and Government Medical College Principal Dr B Sowbhagya Lakshmi participated in this programme.
