Srinagar, Aug 8 (IANS) J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo said on Saturday that the proposal to hike the honorarium of National Health Mission (NHM) 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
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