Karnataka Health Department Stands Firm Amid ASHA Workers' Strike

The Karnataka Health Department has issued a directive prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers, set to commence on August 12. Exceptions will be made only for medical emergencies, underscoring the department's intention to maintain operational efficacy amid the protests.

The strike is fueled by the demands of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers who seek the fulfillment of a promised fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 by the state government, initially pledged in January. The ASHA workers have announced a continuous state-level protest scheduled to run from August 12 to 14.

To facilitate the continuous provision of health services, the notice mandates the collection of absentee information from district jurisdictions daily, with reports reaching the commissionerate by 3 pm each day. The department also calls for the cooperation of community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers in sustaining uninterrupted public health services during the demonstration.

(With inputs from agencies.)