Kolkata, 03 August (H.S.): Tension prevailed at Amarkanan Rural Hospital in West Bengal's Bankura district on Monday after the death of an ASHA worker triggered protests by her colleagues, who alleged that excessive workload under the Ayushman Bharat scheme led to her death.
The deceased, identified as Rumpa Mondal, was posted in the Gopinathpur area. According to fellow ASHA workers, she suffered a cardiac arrest at her residence on Monday morning after facing mounting work pressure. She was taken to Amarkanan Rural Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Following the incident, hundreds of ASHA workers staged a demonstration at the hospital, blocking the removal of the body and demanding that they be relieved of responsibilities related to Ayushman Bharat e-KYC enrolment. Protesters also demanded an apology from BJP MLA Chandana Bauri over her alleged remarks directed at ASHA workers. A video purportedly showing the MLA reprimanding them had recently circulated on social media, though its authenticity has not been independently verified.
Police from Gangajalghati Police Station later reached the hospital and removed the body to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. During the operation, protesters alleged that police scuffled with demonstrators while attempting to clear the way for the hearse.
The agitation continued outside the hospital, with protesters later demonstrating in front of the office of the Block Medical Officer of Health. Bankura District Magistrate Anish Dasgupta, Chief Medical Officer of Health Shyamal Soren, Barjora MLA Billeswar Sinha and Saltora MLA Chandana Bauri reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating ASHA workers for nearly one and a half hours. However, the meeting failed to produce a breakthrough, with the protesters remaining firm on their demands.
Responding to the allegations, Chandana Bauri expressed grief over the ASHA worker's death and said no such incident was desirable. She said that during a recent visit to her constituency, she had only suggested that Ayushman Bharat e-KYC work be carried out from two separate locations to avoid inconvenience to farmers during the ongoing paddy transplantation season. According to the MLA, her remarks had been misunderstood, leading to the present controversy.
The district administration and health authorities are monitoring the situation, while the protesting ASHA workers have reiterated their demand for relief from additional Ayushman Bharat-related duties and an apology from the MLA.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
