Issues of ASHA workers will be solved soon:Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek

SHILLONG: The Health Minister of Meghalaya, AL Hek has said that the State government will do everything to try and remove the problems encountered by the ASHA workers at the earliest.

Meanwhile, members of the Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union are continuing their stir that began on August 20, protesting against the delay on the part of the State government to release their pending dues.

A few days back, the president of the union, Sorilang Marboh pointed out that ASHA Benefit Scheme (ABS) and Meghalaya Maternity Benefit Scheme (MMBS) have been pending since 2014 and 2012.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Minister Hek said, “As per my discussion with the secretary of health we have the funds to release their dues and we will remove their problems at the earliest.”

The ASHA workers have not received the ASHA benefits since 2015; while they are yet to get the Meghalaya Maternity benefits scheme since 2012 onwards, the honorarium for the past one year, the home-based newborn care for the last six months and JSY for the same period of time. There are approximately 7,000 ASHA workers in the State.