Prakasam district community health officers perform yoga to stage an innovative protest as part of their indefinite strike at Church Centre in Ongole on Friday.
| Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
The Andhra Pradesh Mid-level Health Providers/Community Health Officers Association (APMCA) workers indefinite strike across the State has entered 25th day, escalating their demands for government intervention. The union leaders have submitted a representation to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and are waiting for resolution of their long-standing issues.
Speaking to The Hindu, APMCA president N. Niranjan said, “Under National Health Mission (NHM), nearly 23,000 employees, including 10,000 Community Health Officers (CHOs), are working in AP. The CHOs have not received 23% enhancement on par with other NHM employees. Also, regularisation of services is pending for those who completed six years of service.”
Earlier, when we staged a protest in November 2023, Special Chief Secretary for Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare M.T. Krishna Babu had assured to resolve our issues, Mr. Niranjan said while adding that even though he remained in the same position after the change of government, there was no announcement till now in the favour of CHOs.
The CHOs play a vital role in the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) programme, which is a key component of the Ayushman Bharat initiative. They are mid-level service providers who deliver comprehensive primary health care services at the AAMs, which are essentially upgraded Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs).
The CHOs have been on a strike across the State since April 10. In Prakasam district, the CHOs took out a huge rally and staged an innovative protest by performing yoga asanas at Church Centre in Ongole on Friday. M. Rajesh, vice president of APMCA and a CHO from Dornala mandal in the district, demanded the revival of EPFO for their job security.
Published – May 23, 2025 08:27 pm IST
