Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Friday said that health services are one of the priority areas for the state government and that the role of ASHA workers is very important in bringing health services to the doorsteps of the common people.

He said that the present government is considering increasing the honorarium of ASHA workers working in the state.

Dr Saha said this while inaugurating the state-level ASHA convention organized at the indoor hall of the International Fair and Exhibition Ground in Hapania on Friday.

While addressing the meeting, Dr Saha said that this state-level ASHA convention has been organized after a long gap of almost nine years since 2017.

“ASHA means Accredited Social Health Activist. Therefore, all people expect a ray of hope from you. And that is what you are doing. Yesterday too, I distributed about 850 offers among the teachers (postgraduates) who got jobs through TRBT. During the Bharatiya Janata Party government, there was no need to go to the streets to protest for their demands. Today, we have been able to witness a glimpse of women’s empowerment through this convention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special importance to women’s empowerment. About 50 percent of the population is women. Women have been given the right to 33% reservation,” he said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to bring an amendment for the purpose of women’s empowerment, and that the bill was passed in 2023.

The Chief Minister said that ASHA workers are working tirelessly in the service of the people. After the National Health Mission was started in 2005, ASHA workers have helped ensure that the activities of the mission reach everyone in villages and cities.

 “The health sector is a priority area for us. The state government is trying to further strengthen the health service sector. ASHA workers are delivering various benefits of health services to every household. So there can be nothing greater than this. We are trying to build a new Tripura. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the slogan of ‘New India’. We are also working in that direction,” said Dr Saha.

In his speech at the event, Chief Minister and Health Minister Dr. Saha also said that the role of ASHA workers is very important in bringing health services to the doorsteps of the common people of the state.

“From raising public awareness to protecting the health of mothers and children, and to the successful implementation of vaccination programmes, they have been working with dedication and sincerity in every field. Our government is committed to ensuring the fair rights and dignity of ASHA workers. The government is considering an honorarium increase, advanced training, and the overall welfare of the 7,866 ASHA workers working in the state,” he added.

The event was attended by Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Mission Director G.S. Naik, Health Director Dr. Debashree Debbarma, Family Welfare and Disease Prevention Department Director Dr. Anjan Das, Medical Education Director Professor Dr. H.P. Sharma, National Health Mission Joint Mission Director Dr. Nupur Debbarma, and other senior officials of the Health Department.