THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NHM (National Health Mission) State Mission Director has issued a circular instructing ASHA workers protesting in front of the Secretariat to return to work immediately. The directive also states that if the strike continues, alternative arrangements must be made to ensure healthcare services. Medical officers have been tasked with implementing these measures.

To avoid delays, ASHA workers from nearby wards should be assigned additional responsibilities. If that is not feasible, services should be ensured through healthcare workers or volunteers, as per the directive. The health department had already started collecting data on the striking ASHA workers. Since the previous day, DMOs (District Medical Officers) have been gathering information through Google Forms at the district level.

Although the ASHA workers’ protest in front of the Secretariat has entered its second week, the government has not yet made a decision on resuming discussions. Opposition parties have announced their support for the protest and plan to take to the streets in solidarity. The strike continues to receive widespread support from various sections of society.