ASHA workers seek equipment, training
NEWDELHI: At least three associations of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) have sought the Centre’s intervention in providing mandatory equipment and training to health workers deputed to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
States have directed ASHA and Anganwadi or rural child care workers to speak to families in their areas, check for symptoms, and advise them about precautions. There have been complaints regarding a lack of Personal Protective Equipment gear or training to health workers.
All India Coordination Committee of ASHA Workers’ Ranjana Nirula said most of them have been asked to purchase hand sanitisers and masks. “Anganwadi and ASHA workers earn around ~2,000 per month, and most of them have no knowledge of safety standards. This is condemnable,” said Nirula.
There are over 9 lakh ASHA workers, who are trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system, and over 3.5 million Anganwadi workers in India. Nirula said her organisation, which represents over 500,000 workers, has written to the Centre. “It is essential that all these workers be provided with protective gear when they report for duty. ASHA workers must be trained before they are sent to conduct surveys. And, since their wages are low, the government must compensate them by paying extra...”
Gorakhpur-based Chanda Yadav, who heads the All India ASHA Workers Union, said 25,000-odd ASHA workers her Union represents have been directed to conduct village-wise surveys. BV Vijayalakshmi, general secretary of the National Federation of ASHA Workers, said her organisation, that represents one lakh workers, wrote to the Centre last week echoing similar demands.
India is facing a shortage of personal protective gear for medical workers. Officials of the textiles ministry told HT the Centre needs 800,000 bodysuits and coveralls, and 6 million N95 masks, and production of such material has begun domestically.
Rafikul Nishad, a 35-year-old ASHA worker from Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh, said, “We were directed to meet families and advise them to keep their surroundings clean and check for symptoms of any family member.” A Union health ministry official, who did not wish to be named, said the Centre’s priority has been the medical workers engaged in hospitals as they are running against time. “That does not mean we have no policy for care workers. We will announce it soon.”