Mangaluru: Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) workers in Dakshina Kannada district have voiced strong complaints against the 'Samasta' digital health information system, operated under the health and family welfare department. They allege that the system imposes an excessive digital workload, compelling them to spend long hours on data entry in addition to their regular duties such as home visits, prenatal care, and health awareness activities. This, they claim, is adversely affecting the quality of healthcare services provided to the community.
Samasta App Functions and Concerns
The Samasta app is designed to enable Asha workers to conduct household health censuses, track maternal and child health, manage non-communicable diseases, and link health services directly to incentive payments. However, the workers argue that the increased digital demands are overwhelming and counterproductive.
Memorandum Submitted to District Health Officer
Raising concerns over the heightened digital workload, delays in incentive payments, and lack of job security, Asha workers along with the district unit of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) submitted a memorandum to District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah on Saturday, May 30. The memorandum was also forwarded to the Chief Minister, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, and senior health department officials through the DHO.
BMS President Demands Action
BMS Dakshina Kannada district president and advocate Anil Kumar U emphasized that despite Asha workers risking their lives during crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, they have not received due respect, security, or justice. He demanded the withdrawal of additional pressure from the Samasta app, timely payment of incentives, and an immediate revision of the incentive amount, which has remained unchanged for four years.
Demand for State-Level Committee
In the memorandum, Asha workers also demanded the formation of a state-level committee to address and resolve the various issues affecting them, including workload management and fair compensation.
