Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits — Tony Robbins
During the coronavirus pandemic the most powerful warriors are the frontline staff of health department of Assam.
The team, led by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, also includes multi-purpose workers, surveillance workers and auxiliary nurse midwives.
The members have to face several problems including social conflict. Their personal safety and security is one of the primary problems that they have to face.
Following the sudden declaration of the nationwide lockdown, the ASHA workers were the only mediators between the patient and the administration. They come in direct contact of the patients without any proper protection equipment.
The ASHA workers were entrusted to trace the patient first and to report to the authority without knowing their infection status, whether they are positive or negative.
They have to visit the households in large number basically on foot. The difficult mode of transport and communication in different places is a hurdle for them. The weather sometimes become a problem too. At times, people’s attitude also poses a hurdle.
Despite these obstacles, these workers are doing their duty without any hesitation.
The Golaghat district media expert under National Health Mission, Purbali Hazarika, said nothing can defeat the spirit of the frontline staff.
“The frontline staff along with other staff are very active while on duty,” she said.
The block programme manager of Missamara block primary health centre, Mandip Ranjan Khound, said the staff were doing their duty without caring for their own safety.
“We have to tend to unknown persons who may be infected,” an ASHA worker said.
Under the Assam Community Surveillance Programme (ACSP), 194,047 people out of the total 199,404 people covered so far in 252 villages under seven health blocks were screened in the first two days since the programme was launched on May 7.
The seven blocks covered are Bokakhat, Charingia, Morangi, Missamara, KB Ali, Sarupathar and Golghat Urban.
