Over 3,700 community health volunteers called off their two-day protest on Wednesday after authorities promised to raise their salary and provide six months’ maternity leave.
The health volunteers have threatened to intensify protests if officials of the civic body fail to implement the assurances made by Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and political leaders.
Experts said that the community health volunteers shoulder the responsibility of implementing all national, State and civic-level health schemes. However, they only receive a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000 with no other benefits.
Prakash Devdas, president, Mahanagarpalika Arogya Sevak Karmachari Sanghtna, said, “The healthcare system takes a hit the moment the community health volunteers stay out of it. The authorities have not given much thought about giving them better incentives. They should get a monthly salary of at least ₹15,000.” Mr. Devdas said the protest would be intensified if the promised incentives are not implemented before the mode code of conduct comes into effect.
Shiv Sena leader Vishakha Raut, who met the municipal commissioner on Wednesday, said, “The community health workers do a lot of multi-tasking. They implement health programmes and are put on election duty. They should get a decent amount of money as salary to survive in a city like Mumbai.” Ms. Raut said a proposal to implement the promised incentives should be passed soon.