Patna, Jul 30 (PTI): In a significant move ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Wednesday that ASHA workers in the state will now receive a monthly incentive of Rs 3,000, a marked increase from the previous amount of Rs 1,000.
The Chief Minister also declared that the incentive for Mamta health workers will be doubled, now set at Rs 600 per delivery instead of the earlier Rs 300.
In a post on social media platform X, Nitish Kumar stated, "Since our government's inception in November 2005, there has been continuous progress in improving health services. ASHA workers and Mamta health workers have been instrumental in this progress, especially in rural areas."
The decision to enhance incentives for these frontline health workers stems from their vital role in bolstering healthcare services in rural regions.
ASHA workers form the base of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) pyramid, which aims to provide effective healthcare to rural communities by introducing female health workers for every 1,000 people at the village level.
Mamta workers, on the other hand, are contractual health activists responsible for caring for newborns and their mothers in government hospital maternity wards.
The Chief Minister expressed that the increased incentive offer aims to boost the morale of these workers, further strengthening health services across rural areas.
ASHA workers are critical in facilitating access to healthcare services, mobilizing communities to realize health rights, access entitlements, and provide essential community-level care.
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