HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, March 29: Sivasagar district ASHA workers convention 2022 was held with a day-long programme in Sivasagar Milan Mandir on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering of over 500 ASHA workers, Sivasagar deputy commissioner Megha Nidhi Dahal said that India’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has improved to 103 for the period between 2017 and 2019 is an incredible achievement for the nation. She said that if the four mandatory antenatal check-ups on all pregnant women can be done, the death rate can be further reduced. Dr Bhupendranath Das, joint director of Health, Sivasagar, in his speech said that the ASHA workers force is the backbone of the Health department and without their cooperation, it would be very difficult to extend health and family welfare services to the people. Manob Baruah, president, Rotary Club apprised the ASHA workers of the banking and insurance services that the ASHA workers can avail of to improve their financial status.
Manoj Kumar Borthakur, senior journalist also addressed the gathering as a guest speaker and said that ASHA workers have been shouldering a heavy responsibility for improving the health of the future generation. Dr Rupom Borkakoty, superintendent, Demow CHC, lauded the role of the ASHA worker during the days of lockdown and how some of them had to sacrifice their lives in safeguarding public health. Dr Sabita Neog, GM, Medical Services, ONGC, in her speech thanked the organisers for inspiring the ASHA workers. The meeting observed one minute’s silence in memory of deceased ASHA workers of the district Puspanjoli Konwar, Moromi Saikia, Remi Phukan, Tutumoni Phukan, Khirada Baruah, Puspanjoli Rabidas, Ritamoni Chutia, Putali Dutta, Momi Das, and Renu Baruah.
Narrating her experience as an ASHA worker, Nazima Begum of Geleki Owguri sub-center, said ASHA workers will remain a constant company for any family when there would be no one near them. She said that people often ask them about their salary and she had to make up new stories every day but never express before ordinary men that they are an aggrieved lot. Demow Health Service Block performed a play to show the plight of the ASHA workers in tea garden areas. The ASHA workers presented Dihanaam, Jhumur, and Mising Soman in the convention.
