KOCHI: Already burdened with piles of work, the ASHA workers received yet another shock when they were asked to participate in the late-night blood test to find traces of malaria and Filariasis among patients.

The new proposal comes amid heavy workloads already alerting the ASHA workers. The first instruction for the ASHA workers was to locate the residences of migrant workers on the premises. Later it was suggested that the workers should accompany officials to the site. Albeit the tiring work, there is no reward for overtime.

The health department officials are given charge of medical examination to identify malaria and Filariasis outbreaks among migrant workers. The filarial larvae normally enter the blood at night, so the testing should happen at this time. Among these, malaria testing will also be done. A doctor and two junior health inspectors will visit homes and camps to collect blood samples.

During the day, ASHA workers should inform the selected residences about the inspection going to be conducted at night. However, the ASHA workers were befuddled when they were asked to accompany health inspectors for late-night blood sample collection.

In the first phase, the blood test was started in Ernakulam district, which has the highest number of migrant workers. ASHA workers protested in West Kochi, Aluva and Perumbavoor, but the officials remained unperturbed. It is now also alleged that the people's representatives in these areas are threatening workers with dismissal if they do not take part in the blood sample collection.