Kerala Health Minister heads to Delhi to push ASHA workers’ demands!

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George flew to Delhi on Thursday to push for higher honorariums for ASHA workers. She plans to highlight the state’s stance and urge the central government to act.

Speaking at the airport, George blamed the central government for neglecting ASHA workers. “They haven’t raised honorariums in 20 years. We will demand an increase and discuss other essential issues,” she said.

Her visit follows an ongoing protest by ASHA workers outside the Secretariat for over a month. On Wednesday, they held two rounds of talks—first with state health officials and later with George. Both discussions failed, as the government refused to meet their key demands.

Frustrated, the protesters announced an indefinite hunger strike starting Thursday. They insist on higher honorariums and better working conditions.

George later addressed the media, urging workers to end their agitation. She assured them that the state would offer maximum support and confirmed a scheduled meeting with the Union Health Minister this week.

On Monday, hundreds of ASHA workers laid siege to the Secretariat, demanding their dues. The Kerala government claims it has not received funds from the Centre under the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2023-24.

However, the central government denies this. Officials argue they released funds but have not received Kerala’s utilization certificate. They stated that once Kerala submits the required documents, payments will resume.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told Parliament that the NHM Mission Steering Group had decided to raise ASHA workers’ incentives. The move aims to address long-standing concerns about their wages and working conditions.

The standoff continues, with ASHA workers demanding immediate action. George’s Delhi visit will test whether the Centre responds to their calls for justice.