Latest news with #HealthActivists
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
ASHAs envisaged to be community health volunteers, says health ministry
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday said that the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are envisaged to be community health volunteers and the support for them is primarily the responsibility of State and Union Territory governments. The health ministry said the primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including support for ASHA workers lies with the respective State and Union Territories. (Representational image) The ministry was responding to a question raised by John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The ministry said that central financial and technical assistance is provided based on Programme Implementation Plans submitted by the states, within the limits of available resources. The ministry also noted that ASHAs currently receive a fixed monthly incentive of ₹3,500, revised from ₹2,000 in March 2025 during the 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group. They are also eligible for additional performance-based payments and team-based incentives of up to ₹1,000 per month under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. Non-monetary entitlements include uniforms, identity cards, cycles, mobile phones, drug kits, and access to rest rooms. ASHAs who have served for at least 10 years are eligible for a one-time recognition amount of ₹50,000, revised from ₹20,000 in March 2025, along with a formal certificate. The Ministry further stated that ASHAs are covered under centrally funded insurance schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana. Pension benefits of ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60 are available through the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana, with contributions shared equally by the government and the beneficiaries. Health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year is also provided under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. In response to a specific reference to Kerala's 'highest' monthly honorarium of ₹7,000 plus incentives and the state's demand to reclassify ASHAs as 'health workers', the Ministry did not indicate any plans to change the current policy. It stated that the incentive structure is revised periodically in line with programme requirements.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hundreds take out march, stage protest in several districts as part of nation-wide strike
Hundreds of members of various trade unions took out protest marches and staged demonstrations in various district headquarters and major towns and cities in Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada and Davangere on Wednesday in response to a call for a nation-wide agitation given by the Joint Committee of Trade Unions. Under the aegis of JCTU, employees of various government departments, banks, insurance companies, regional rural banks, workers of construction and various other industries, anganwadi workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and farmers took part in the agitation to highlight various demands pertaining to the working class. In Dharwad, the protest march was taken out from Kalabhavan to the Deputy Commissioner's office. Social activists S.R. Hiremath, G.N. Devi and others also took part in the agitation to express solidarity with the trade unions. The speakers strongly opposed the labour codes and attempts to introduce anti-labour laws through the backdoor and facilitate privatisation that will mainly benefit large corporate houses. They demanded that the labour codes be abolished and the long-pending demands of the working class be fulfilled. In Hubballi, amid rainfall, the protest march was taken out from Sangoli Rayanna Circle to Ambedkar Circle where a huge protest meeting was organised. Addressing the protestors, trade union leaders Mahesh Pattar, Gangadhar Badiger, R.F. Kavalikai, Stephen Jayachandra, Gurusiddappa Ambiger, Channamma Dolli and several others condemned the anti-labour policies of the Union government in strong terms. The speakers demanded abolition of the four labour codes and also urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Labour Minister Santosh Lad to announce that they will not allow the implementation of the labour codes in the State. In Haveri, braving the rainfall, the protestors took out a protest march from Murugharajendra Mutt to Hosamani Siddappa Circle where they formed a human chain to register their protest against the Union government. Subsequently, a protest meeting was held at the same venue and a memorandum containing the long-pending demands was submitted to the taluk officials. Addressing the protestors, DYFI State secretary Basavaraj Pujar demanded the immediate abolition of the four labour codes. He also demanded minimum wages of ₹36,000 for workers. He said that the labour codes will push the workers towards slavery. CITU convenor Andaneppa Hebasur, Jagadish Koti, Basavaraj S., Chaitra S.K. and others addressed the protestors and demanded fulfilment of their long-pending demands.
Hans India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Weekly Health Check-Up Camp Launched for Municipal Staff Under Telangana's 100-Day Action Plan
Gadwal: As part of the Telangana State Government's prestigious 100-Day Action Plan, a health check-up camp was organized at the Aija Municipal Office in Jogulamba Gadwal district. This initiative was spearheaded by Municipal Commissioner CH Saidulu, in coordination with Medical Officer Dr. Kiran Kumar. Addressing the occasion, Commissioner Mr. Saidulu emphasized that the Telangana government is implementing the 100-Day Plan with a strong focus on welfare and health across departments. He announced that every Friday, a health camp will be conducted within the municipal office premises, exclusively for sanitation workers, water supply staff, electrical department employees, revenue staff, and other municipal officers. The camp includes basic health screenings such as blood pressure (BP) and blood sugar (diabetes) tests. The Commissioner also mentioned that those already diagnosed with conditions such as hypertension or diabetes will be provided with necessary medications, and if required, will be referred to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) for further lab testing and consultation. The event witnessed active participation from key personnel, including: Lakshanna, Senior Municipal Assistant, Vijay, Junior Assistant, Srinivasulu, Supervisor from, the Primary Health Centre, Obulesh, PHC staff, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) Other municipal officers and staff members. This initiative is seen as a step toward promoting the health and well-being of municipal workers who are the backbone of public service delivery. The weekly check-ups are expected to help in early detection of health issues and ensure timely medical intervention, thus enhancing the overall productivity and welfare of the staff.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
26 taken ill with symptoms of viral diarrhoea in three villages of Belthangady taluk
The Department of Health and Family Welfare has deployed more than 50 healthcare workers, including 40 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), to conduct house-to-house visits to find out the probable source of water contamination, which is believed to be the reason for some people developing dysentery and vomiting in Bandaru, Mogaru, and Ilantila villages of Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada. The survey follows the death of one Kamala in Bandaru, and 26 others taking ill with symptoms of dysentery and vomiting since May 13. District Health and Family Welfare Officer H.R. Thimmaiah, who held a meeting in this connection in Bandaru on Saturday, told The Hindu that the infected persons showed symptoms of viral diarrhoea. The department personnel will submit a report to him within a week after ascertaining the probable reasons for those people taking ill, he said. Dr. Thimmaiah said that of the 26, 10 persons, including the deceased, Kamala, were admitted as in-patients to different hospitals. Now, only four of the 10 patients are under treatment and are recovering. The other six patients have been discharged, and the remaining 16 patients were treated as outpatients in different hospitals and clinics. The stool samples of the infected persons tested negative for cholera. The department is awaiting the results of the stool culture test, he said. Ruling out reports that said the contamination of water at a wedding reception event in Bandaru resulted in an outbreak of the infection, Dr. Thimmaiah said dysentery and vomiting were also noticed among those who did not attend the reception. He also ruled out the possibility of contamination of the piped drinking water supplied to the three villages. The DHO said the fatal infection that caused Kamala's death was not due to the consumption of food, and the department is yet to ascertain the cause of her death, he said. Dr. Thimmaiah said water samples from all open wells and the piped supply in the three villages will be tested. During the ongoing doorstep visits, the health department personnel are creating awareness on hand hygiene and the consumption of ORS. He said Bandaru Gram Panchayat president Dinesh Gowda and other residents of the village are actively involved in the awareness-raising exercise. The DHO said a team of officials for Rapid Response has also been formed.
