NHM workers' honorarium hike proposal sent to Centre: J&K Health Minister
Srinagar, Aug 8
J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo said on Saturday that the proposal to hike the honorarium of National Health Mission workers has been sent to the Union Government.
She made the statement while addressing an inauguration function in Kulgam district, noting that the proposal for an increase in the honorarium of NHM employees has already been forwarded to the Centre for consideration.
Speaking about the concerns of NHM workers, Itoo said the employees are playing a significant role in strengthening the healthcare system and are working tirelessly across the Health Department.
"NHM workers do a lot of work, and their role in the Health Department is very important. Their payment comes from the Central Government, and I have taken up the matter with the Centre several times," she said.
The Minister assured NHM workers through the media that the issue of their honorarium hike has already been formally taken up with the Union Government.
"I have already sent the case to the Central Government for increasing the honorarium of NHM workers. Recently, we also had a meeting with the Union Health Minister, and I discussed this issue with him," Itoo said.
She added that the Union Health Minister had assured her that the demand for an honorarium hike for NHM employees would be examined.
"The Union Health Minister has said that he will definitely examine the issue of increasing the pay or honorarium of NHM employees," she said.
Itoo further stated that some other issues concerning NHM employees at the level of the Jammu and Kashmir Government are also being examined by the administration.
The Minister reiterated that the government is aware of the concerns of NHM workers and is pursuing the matter with the concerned authorities at the Centre.
Many qualified doctors and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) discharge their duties under the NHM in J&K. These workers form an important part of the region's healthcare system.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Minister sahab ne bola hai toh kuch toh hoga. But honestly, these workers have been waiting for years for this hike. They work in difficult terrains, often without basic facilities. The least the government can do is fast-track this proposal.
Good to see the minister taking up this matter genuinely. NHM workers are often overlooked in the bigger healthcare picture. A fair honorarium increase will definitely boost their morale and improve healthcare delivery across J&K.
I have a family member working as an NHM employee in Kashmir. The workload is immense - they handle everything from immunization drives to maternal health camps. The honorarium they receive is honestly not proportional to their efforts. Hope this time the proposal doesn't just sit in some file.
Actions speak louder than words. The minister has been saying this for a while now. Let's hope the Union Health Minister keeps his word this time. These workers are literally saving lives in the most remote parts of our country.
Good initiative by Minister Sakina Itoo ji. But I wish the state government would also contribute from its own budget instead of depending entirely on the Centre. Our healthcare workers deserve better support at every level, not just paper promises.
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