Mangalore: State Health Minister Listens to Grievances of Asha Health Workers

By Ashritha D Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 14 Sep, 2013 : The discussions were held with CM Siddaramaiah to approve matching grant by the state administration to Asha workers who are paid honorarium to work for union government sponsored National Rural Health Abhiyan, said state health and family welfare minister U T Khader.

 

 

The minister U T Khader these assurances to the Asha workers after listening to their grievances during the training programme held at Samarthya Soudha of taluk panchayat here on Friday September 13.

 

The minister U T Khader further said that he is aware of the grievances of Asha workers and the state government is not able to take a separate decision as the project comes under the union government.  The healthcare services in Dakshina Kannada district are better than other districts of Karnataka, said minister U T Khader.  He also agreed that the honorarium what Asha workers are getting is minimal.

 

Asha workers are paid Rs 200 per patient for bring them to state-run hospitals under Vajpayee Health Project; they are entitled for an addition of Rs 100 if the patient belongs to SC/ST.  The objective of the project is health for all, elaborated minister U T Khader. 

 

Asha workers also brought the issue of difficulties caused by APL cards to the attention of minister U T Khader, he said that he is aware of the issue and remedial measures will be taken shortly, said minister U T Khader.

 

The minister U T Khader also advised the Asha workers to hand him a list of their grievances because it’s easier to refer to the concerned departments in addressing their grievances.

 

The minister U T Khader was accompanied with zilla panchayat member N S Karim on the occasion.