Ganeshan
Baratang, June 03: The Pradhan of Sundergarh Panchayat, Baratang in Middle Andaman, Mr. Biju Gurudasan has demanded grant of incentive to AWW workers and ASHA workers in recognition of the works rendered by them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his letter to the Chief Secretary of A & N Administration he Appreciated the efforts of the Administration in successfully containing the spread of novel Coronavirus in these islands and services rendered by frontline workers during the lockdown.
The Pradhan, in a letter made a special mention of AWW workers and ASHAs, who played a key role in preventing spread of the infection.
“Immediately after identification of hot spots and containment zones, the administration started surveillance duty involving staff from the Health Department, Social Welfare, Revenue, Police and NGOs. Among all functionaries involved in Containment/Surveillance, AWW and ASHA Workers performed a crucial role. They conducted door to door visits in allotted areas inquiring about the health and symptoms of COVID-19 of residents and communicated it to the higher authorities. The AWW and ASHA workers are frontline workers who act as interface fighting a pandemic often with no protection between the community and the public health system in rural areas,” said the Pradhan.
While citizens remained confined to their homes during the lockdown, AWW and ASHA workers stepped out during the pandemic to carry out assigned duties putting their own lives at risk. Many of them rendered services on the ground without adequate safety equipment. The administration should look for ways to incentivize these devoted healthcare workers working in the frontline in the battle against COVID- 19, said the Pradhan urging the Chief Secretary to release adequate grant for incentive/honorarium for AWW and ASHA workers in recognition of their service.
