The second phase of pulse polio immunization was partially affected in Meghalaya with as many as 4000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) boycotted the programme demanding improved pay backs for the service they render.
"Pulse polio immunization was affected today as three-fourths of the ASHAs are silently boycotting the programme in the state," Joint Action Committee of ASHA Facilitators and Workers (JAC-AFW) president Haphilin Pyrtuh told PTI.
Since the ASHAs are the first point of contact for any health related programme in the villages, the immunization programme was badly affected especially in remote villages in the state, she claimed.
Health Services Director Dr E S Shullai however, refuted their claim stating that casual helpers, staffs at the health centres and volunteers were pressed in to complete the immunization programme.
Of the total 6258 ASHAs on service, only about one fourth did not participate in the boycott after government officials have alleged threatened to strip them off their services, the ASHA leader said, adding that the remaining participated since their demand was genuine.
Of their various grievances, Pyrtuh listed their absorption as full time government employees, improved remuneration, fixed honorarium and clearing the pending dues of the ASHAs for the direct observation treatment (DOT) of TB patients as few of their long pending demands.
