Asha workers ask minister to drop app-based survey

Mangaluru: Asha workers, under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Samyukta Asha Karyakartheyara Sangha in Dakshina Kannada, demanded minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao to drop the ongoing mobile app-based ‘Health and Nutrition Survey’ (HNS) that is being carried out to collect data on children and pregnant women.

“The survey needs to be carried out jointly by the Asha and anganwadi workers in coordination with PHC and CHC officers. However, the burden on Asha workers has increased as anganwadi workers are not conducting the survey,” said association district president Shobha.

She said that Asha workers are conducting surveys on leprosy, larvae and immunisation, in addition to the newly added HNS.

“Asha workers are facing network issues in rural areas during the survey that takes at least 30 minutes to cover a household. Many of the Asha workers are not acquainted with the use of mobile phones and they find it difficult to upload data. No separate allowance is given to buy internet data packs to them. Further, Asha workers are also given an additional task of facilitating the eSanjeevani tele consultation between patients and doctors,” she said.

Demand honorarium of ₹15k per mnth

In a memorandum submitted to the minister, Asha workers demanded an honorarium of Rs 15,000 per month and also alternative arrangements for those who are unable to use the app to upload details under HNS. “Incentive from the Centre, which is released through RCH portal, is pending for the last three years,” Asha workers said asking to release it. They also demanded the government to increase the retirement benefit from Rs 20,000 to Rs 3 lakh.

The minister said that the demand of Asha workers will be looked into. “The HNS is important for the department and it is set to complete by June end. Their issues will be addressed,” he said.

DHO Dr Kishore Kumar M said that Dakshina Kannada district is lagging behind in the Health and Nutrition Survey. “Survey of only 9,310 households, which is about 3 per cent of the target, has been completed in Dakshina Kannada while Mandya, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga and Udupi have achieved 40 per cent, 28, per cent, 22 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively,” the officer said.