Bhubaneswar, March 16 : In a bid to ensure safety and security of women health workers, the State Government has directed all district Collectors to constitute a complaint committee headed by a woman as per Vishak Guideline at every workplace/facility.
“A complaint committee headed by a woman as per Vishak Guideline is to be set up in every workplace/facility. Such committee needs to be strengthened and activated addressing issues related to sexual harassment of female health workers.The cell chould work in coordination with the women’s helpline and other institutional mechanisms created for the purpose,” said Health and Family Welfare Secretary Arti Ahuja, in a letter to Collectors.
“The facility-in-charge of the health institutions must ensure that adequate safety and security measures are in place for ASHAs accompanying pregnant women to the health facility.
Adequate safety and security measures must be ensured in ASHA Gruha especially during the odd hours and night time while ASHA Gruha must be functioning adjacent to the labour room and ASHA performing duty in ASHA Gruha must be informed of the person/authority whom she can ask for support during the time of need. The security personnel of the health facility must be instructed to remain vigilant to address any security issues in the ASHA Gruha during odd hours,” stated the letter.
Functioning of District and Block ASHA Grievance Redressal Cell must be further strengthened so as to build the confidence of ASHA that her complaints would be addressed in a timely manner, the letter stated.
The letter further stated that treatment for frontline female health workers who are victims of sexual violence to be assured free of cost for the entire duration including tertiary level care.
