New move to deal with ASHA workers' strike; NHM issues guidelines to train new volunteers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As ASHA workers continue their protest in front of the Secretariat, the National Health Mission (NHM) has initiated a new move by issuing guidelines to recruit and train new volunteers. Special camps will be organized in each district to identify and train these volunteers. NHM has allocated Rs 11.70 lakh for this purpose, and the new volunteers will undergo two-day training sessions in all districts.

The NHM State Mission Director had issued a circular instructing officials to recruit volunteers if the ASHA workers' strike persisted.

Meanwhile, CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan stated that the ASHA workers protesting does not make them enemies of the government or the party. He said in a press conference that the hardships faced by ASHA workers are due to the flawed policies of the central government.

"The protest was initially launched under the leadership of the CITU with various demands. However, the protest in front of the Secretariat is now being led by a team working against Kerala’s development. This team includes SUCI, SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami. There is a huge difference between the protest and those who are leading the protest. The central government has yet to release the arrear of Rs 100 crore to be given to the ASHA workers. The state government has cleared all its arrears. During the tenure of the UDF government, the increment given to ASHA workers was merely Rs 100. However, after the Left government came to power, significant changes were made. The Left's stance is clear – the issues must be resolved. No one here is against discussions, and they will take place at the appropriate time," Govindan said.