VIJAYAWADA: Healthcare services in rural the State have come to a standstill as 10,032 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Village Health Clinics) remain partially shut due to an indefinite strike by Community Health Officers (CHOs). The strike, which began on April 18, has left lakhs of villagers without access to basic medical care.
The CHOs, all BSc Nursing graduates recruited under the National Health Mission (NHM), are demanding regularisation of services and overdue pay revision. Despite serving for over five years, they claim their salaries have not been enhanced, unlike other NHM employees who received a 23% hike last year.
“CHOs in the State under NHM have been on strike for 14 days demanding a pay revision, which has been denied for the last six years,” said Niranjan, President of the AP Mid-Level Health Providers/Community Health Officers Association (APMCA). “We also seek resolution of other issues like incentive dues, rental arrears, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) restoration, and administrative delays.”
The government directed Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers to step in during the strike. However, patients allege that these staffers are irregular or unavailable in many villages, further compounding the crisis.
Jagadeesh, from Kancharam in Srikakulam, expressed his frustration: “We have visited the VHC thrice, but no one is there. They say ANMs and ASHAs are in charge, but they come only occasionally. My grandmother hasn’t had her BP medicine for a week.”
In a letter to Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, CHOs highlighted that the first batch recruited in March 2019 is nearing six years of contractual service. They urged the government to absorb them into the regular state cadre, as per norms. “CHOs are the only village-level health workers still on contract, while ANMs and ASHAs are in permanent or long-term government positions,” said S Vinod Kumar Naik, State Coordinator, APMCA. M Usharani, Srikakulam district president of APMCA, said, “Our work during COVID-19, floods, and seasonal outbreaks was vital in early detection of anaemia, NCD follow-ups, and maternal care. Yet, we remain the most neglected cadre.”
Despite repeated attempts, Veerapandian, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, was unavailable for comment.