Gadwal: For more than 15 years, ASHA workers have been essential to rural healthcare in India. They play a vital role in maternal and child healthcare, but they still face challenges. Their demands for better pay and a lighter workload have been ignored by many governments.
Initially, ASHA workers had simpler tasks. They mainly helped pregnant women by identifying them in villages and taking them to hospitals for check-ups twice a week. On other days, they could do household chores or other jobs to support their families.
Over time, their duties increased significantly. Previous governments added more tasks, such as tracking patients, guiding them to hospitals, educating villagers about diseases, and reporting health data.
Today, ASHA workers conduct numerous surveys. Their responsibilities have expanded beyond health, involving tasks that usually belong to municipal staff. During the monsoon, they identify unsafe houses and relocate families, and they perform door-to-door health surveys.
Their survey work includes counting children and adults in homes, identifying people with chronic illnesses like cancer, TB, and diabetes, and tracking those using government health services. Additionally, they distribute medicines, assist with deliveries by staying in hospitals overnight, and provide midnight updates when required.
These women have no holidays. Even when sick, they must rely on their superiors’ permission to rest.
What started as part-time work is now full-time, without a pay increase. Many ASHA workers belong to small families with no other income, and their low wages don’t cover household expenses, causing financial struggles.
Festival celebrations and family events are often out of reach. Their earnings only cover basic needs, leaving little for savings or social activities.
Despite this, they remain hopeful. Many say, “The pay is low, but at least we receive something. Maybe one day, we’ll get fair compensation for our hard work.”
Their message to the current government is clear: “We ask the government to acknowledge our work, reduce our workloads, and give us wages that reflect our efforts. We have been treated like bonded laborers for too long. We deserve respect, fair pay, and better working conditions.”
This struggle highlights the situation of ASHA workers in Telangana and across India—a dedicated workforce serving under challenging conditions, hoping their voices will be heard one day.
