Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a significant healthcare initiative in tea garden regions. The state government is upgrading 354 tea garden hospitals and has already operationalized 200 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to enhance medical services for tea tribe communities.
Sarma emphasized the government’s dedication to providing quality healthcare facilities to tea garden workers and their families. The initiative aims to extend healthcare services to remote tea estates, where access to medical facilities has traditionally been limited.
The government has established 200 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in tea garden areas and is working on setting up more centers. Additionally, efforts are underway to modernize and strengthen 354 tea garden hospitals to improve healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
Officials mentioned that each hospital is receiving financial support for infrastructure development and enhancing healthcare facilities. The upgraded hospitals are expected to offer improved primary healthcare services, maternal and child healthcare, disease screening, preventive care, and essential medicines to workers and their families.
The tea industry is a major employer in Assam, supporting numerous workers in various tea estates. Healthcare has been identified as a crucial area needing attention to enhance the quality of life and social welfare indicators among tea garden communities.
The state government has introduced several welfare initiatives in recent years for tea tribe populations, focusing on health, education, housing, and livelihood support. The Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen grassroots healthcare infrastructure and ensure essential medical services reach underserved populations.
Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to the comprehensive development of tea garden workers and their families, with healthcare remaining a top priority.
