ASHA workers protest in Bengaluru; demand salary hike, PPE kits

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is focusing on increasing the number of beds for COVID patients. Amid this, there are complaints of acute shortage of manpower — doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff to treat the sick. About 42,000 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers launched an indefinite strike on Friday (July 10) in Bengaluru, boycotting work. The protest continued even today (July 13) as they want their total honorarium to be hiked from the current Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000. It’s a huge challenge for the state government indeed. While the qualified doctors are not willingly to come forward to work as COVID warriors, many are either quitting their jobs or undergoing quarantine after testing positive. Mass resignations by doctors and ASHA workers will only compound the existing woes.