State ASHA Mentoring Group meets REBYNA RANA

GANGTOK, 20 Nov:The State Health Society, National Rural Health Mission [NRHM] under the Department of Health Care, Human Service & Welfare Department, organized the “State ASHA Mentoring Group Meeting” here in the European Commission Hall, STNM today.
State ASHA Nodal Officer, Dr. ML Lepcha, in her presentation, mentioned that, Sikkim is the smallest state having a small number of ASHAs where she informed that there are a total of 666 ASHA volunteers.
“We express heartfelt gratitude towards ASHA workers of Sikkim for all their effort and support”, she said.She informed that ASHAs are paid at the block headquarters during the monthly PHC meetings and added that Sikkim is the only state where the payment is made through cheques.
Dr. Lepcha highlighted the need for more support from the department to further polish ASHA’s activities. She also spoke on the ASHA support system and the grievances redressal mechanism as well. By the end of March 2014, 24 batches of ASHAs will be covered under the National Pension Scheme, she added.
Mission Director, NRHM, Dr. PM Pradhan urged all ASHA workers to put in all efforts and play an active role in controlling the spread of diseases like Dengue, Malaria, etc. speaking on MDR TB cases, Dr. Pradhan stressed on the need to raise awareness on the disease especially in the East district. He further encouraged ASHA workers to place their grievances and suggestions.
The meeting was also addressed by State ASHA Trainer cum CHO, PHC, Pakyong,LhassangTamang, State Facilitator, Ministry & Health Welfare, Government of India, Navin Sharma, and retired Additional Director, Dr. BelaCintury.
Also present weremembers of the ASHA Mentoring Group from four districts, NGOs, members from Red Cross Society, Inner Wheel Club [Gangtok], and Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim as well.