ASHA workers protesting for over two months in Haryana, demanding better compensation, received relief from the government this week after it announced a Rs 2 lakh retirement benefit and an increase of Rs 2,100 in their monthly stipend, raising the remuneration to Rs 6,100.  

As per media reports, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar approved the incentives during a meeting with ASHA representatives on Thursday. Khattar said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will send letters to ASHA workers regarding the compensation.  

In August, the Accredited Social Health Activists or ASHA workers, engaged under the National Health Mission, launched protests in different parts of the state to demand better pay. Scores were detained when they tried to march to the state assembly during the Monsoon session. As per government data, there are 23,954 ASHA workers in Haryana as of June 30, 2022. 

Currently, the ASHA workers get life coverage of Rs 3 lakh for death during service. They will now also receive Rs 2 lakh in retirement benefits besides a monthly stipend of Rs 6,100. 

ASHA workers act as a bridge between health officials and the people. These workers are selected and trained through a rigorous process in consultation with block and district nodal officers, village health committees, gram sabhas, etc., deployed in urban and rural areas.

These workers create awareness about public health programmes in their designated areas. They visit people and inform them about government health schemes and services, focusing on senior citizens, women and children who need help. They are also required to update the health officials regarding the health status of people in their respective zones.  

The workers are responsible for spreading information about nutrition, basic hygiene and sanitation, existing schemes, and how to utilise them. They also provide information about preventive and curative care and make referrals for emergencies. 

Every state offers varying incentives to them from the state fund. For example, Himachal Pradesh provides Rs 2,000 monthly, Sikkim Rs 6,000 monthly, and West Bengal Rs 3,000. Most states have roughly one ASHA worker for every 1,000 people. For Haryana, it is 999 people per ASHA worker, as per the Annual ASHA update 2020-21 report.

ASHA workers worked even during the pandemic. In recognition of their service, the World Health Organisation (WHO) honoured them with the ‘Global Health Leaders Award 2022’.