ASHAs deprived of bicycles in IE
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 04, 2011: Many Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Imphal East are not getting bicycles which they are given free of cost under the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) by the Union Government.

ASHAs in the state are facing a lot of inconveniences due to the negligence of the higher officials while sanctioning their honorarium.

The central government sanctions Rs.1.75 lakhs to a PHC, Rs.3 lakhs to a CHC and Rs.5 lakhs to a district hospital under the project of NHRM which aims to keep rural people healthy.

However large parts of the sanctioned amounts are swindled by higher officials giving a direct impact to the supervisors and ASHAs who are doing their duties in the grass root level.

Although the higher officials distributed bicycles to the ASHAs of some villages, ASHAs of Imphal East have not got their bicycles.

Bicycles were distributed to 329 ASHAs in Imphal West and 300 each in Thoubal and Bishnupur district some seven months ago.

Not a single ASHA of Imphal East has received a bicycle till now.

Under the guidelines of the project, an ASHA will cover 1000 heads in her area.

The government of India provides a bicycle to each ASHA to make it convenient while visiting them.

It may be mentioned that suppliers gave bicycles to ASHAs of Imphal West with baskets, bells and carriers in the first phase.

Tension erupted when the suppliers excluded the accessories in the second phase.

An ASHA is given Rs.600 as incentive for bringing a pregnant woman to a PHC three times.

Moreover the pregnant mother is also given Rs.700 and Rs.1000 cash incentive for normal and Caesarian delivery respectively.

There was an incident in Imphal East some months back when the MO in charge of a PHC did not sanction the incentives in time, the ASHA concerned gave the incentive to the mother by borrowing the amount from others when the latter asked her for the money.

Medical officers in charge of some PHCs are sanctioning little amount to the supervisors for their field visits and awareness campaigns.

In such unfortunate situations, many ASHAs and supervisors of Imphal East are waiting for the intervention and supervision of State Director of NRHM PK Jha and State Commissioner Bhumang in the matter.

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