In an attempt to sustain the motivation of accredited social health activists (ASHAs), the State Government has decided to provide compensation to their families if they die on duty.
According to National Health Mission (NHM) Mission Director Salini Pandit, the Government would provide Rs1 lakh compensation to the next of kin of an ASHA in case she dies while discharging her duty.
In case of disability due to mishaps while on duty, ASHAs would get Rs25,000 to Rs50,000 compensation. For disability up to 40 per cent to 80 per cent, they would get Rs25,000. For disability of more than 80 per cent, an ASHA would Rs50,000, added Pandit in a Press release.
An ASHA Corpus Fund of the NHM was formed for the purpose.
The affected family can make a claim with the block medical officer with the necessary documents. The claim would be made within seven days of the deaths.
The MD NHM has recently written to all Chief District Medical Officers to take necessary steps to ensure the compensation.
Around 45,000 ASHAs are working in the State. ASHAs are working in grassroots level with the task of institutional delivery, newborn care, reporting of diseases and sterilisation.