In a significant move to enhance healthcare services for the tea garden community, Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal inaugurated the state-level pilot project of the “Swasthaban Shramik Yojana” at Jutlibari Tea Estate in Dibrugarh district. The initiative, part of the Assam Budget 2025-26, aims to offer comprehensive health screening services to tea garden laborers, who make up about 20% of the state’s population. Initially, the project will be rolled out in 20 selected tea estates, including those in Moran, Sessa, and Ghagrajan, before being extended statewide.
Singhal emphasized the vital role of the tea industry in Assam’s economy and reiterated the government’s commitment to the well-being of tea garden workers. He highlighted that the program is tailored to address the longstanding health issues prevalent among the tea community by focusing on early detection, prompt treatment, and continuous awareness. Studies have consistently shown a high incidence of various diseases like anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, and leprosy among tea garden workers, both communicable and non-communicable, which the Swasthaban Shramik Yojana aims to combat through a holistic, community-centered approach.
As part of the scheme, ASHA workers will conduct household visits to identify health risks using the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (C-BAC). Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) will be deployed to tea estates for on-site diagnostic services, medical consultations, and follow-up care, reducing the need for workers to travel long distances for medical attention. The project also includes the appointment of Women’s Health and Wellness Ambassadors from within the tea gardens to lead campaigns on nutrition, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Health Choupals will be organized to educate workers on the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption, habits that often start at a young age in tea garden areas.
Furthermore, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) teams will be integrated into the initiative to ensure complete health coverage for children and adolescents, focusing on issues like malnutrition, developmental delays, and childhood ailments. Officials stated that the pilot project will undergo close monitoring, with feedback from the initial phase guiding adjustments and the eventual expansion of the program to all tea-growing regions in Assam.
