Bhubaneswar, August 10, 2018: In recognition of relentless efforts by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to create awareness on various health issues and help bring down infant and maternal mortality, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced hike in various allowances and assistance to ASHAs.
The hikes will immensely benefit more than 47,000 ASHA workers in the state.
The CM said an allowance of Rs 10,000 would be provided to ASHA workers for buying articles like almirah, flashlight and bicycle.
The CM also hiked the assistance on voluntary retirement from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
There are as many as 46,695 ASHAs against the target of 47147 are in place to facilitate and promote right health care practices and maximize health service utilization at the community level.
Average population served by one ASHA is 887 in the State. The Scope of ASHA involvement in health related activities has been extended to 41 activities including RMNCH+A, Disease Control Programme, Non-Communicable Diseases and other activities (Annex-A).
They are getting monthly conditional remuneration Rs 2,000 April 1, 2018 on discharging of five mandatory and four assured activities. Out of Rs 2,000 the State Government contributes Rs 1,000 per ASHA per month. By the first quarter of 2018-19, on an average 40,300 ASHAs got benefit.
They will be provided maternity benefit of Rs 1000 per month for a period of six months from April 1, 2018. As on date at least five ASHAs
have got the benefit.
