ASHA workers’ selfless work during pandemic praised

Prayagraj: Senior district health officials on Monday applauded the efforts of ASHA workers (primary health workers) in providing government medical assistance to the last man in villages and blocks, claiming that they have “set an example of devotion to duty”.
There are a total of 4,474 ASHA workers working in the district including 4,161 in rural and 313 in urban areas. Besides, 174 Asha Sangni are also working to take health plans among villagers.
Chief medical officer (Prayagraj) Dr. Nanak Saran said, “ASHA workers had played a key role during the corona pandemic.”
He added, “At a time when doctors were performing their duties at hospitals, ASHA workers were knocking the doors and connecting with people to apprise them about Covid-19 protocol. ASHA workers have simply played the role of frontline workers and are the backbone of the department.”
Additional CMO Dr. Satyen Rai said, “After witnessing the selfless hard work and significant role of ASHA workers during the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has started felicitating them with the award of Global Health Leaders from this year. The award is being given to such workers at the state and district level.”
He added, “Be it polio eradication drive or Covid immunization campaign or routine immunization, ASHA workers are playing key roles in all fields.”
An ASHA worker, Anjani Ojha, said: “People are giving more respect and honour to us after Covid pandemic after seeing our role and responsibilities.”
She also said “both men and women are listening to our advice seriously and adopting it in their lives”.
Another ASHA worker Firdaus Bano said, “We maintained distance from our families during the Covid pandemic, and as people noticed our endeavour and hard work, they are keen to offer respect and honour to us and calling us “ ASHA Didi”.