ASHA workers motivate elderly to undergo COVID test

Mangaluru, Oct 16: The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are visiting houses with senior citizens requesting them to undergo the COVID test.

Those above 60 years are considered as vulnerable to COVID. The majority of those who died are elderly persons, and the government is serious about keeping a tab on their health condition.

Every PHC has a list of elderly and based on this ASHA workers visit every house in their jurisdiction requesting the elderly to undergo the COVID test.

“This is not a compulsory test. But those who are above 60 years come under the vulnerable group. Our ASHA workers visit their house and motive them to undergo testing. There is nothing to be scared. It is for their safety,” health department officials said.

Not an easy task for ASHA workers:
However, for ASHA workers, it is not an easy task.
“This is tough job for us. We find it difficult as people hesitate to come for testing. Our higher officials ask us to motivate people and get people for testing. But the ground reality is different,” an ASHA worker, who does not want to be named told The Canara Post.

“There are many houses where they tell that elderly people have gone out or to other places. We have to be very polite to them and cannot pressurize. After repeated effort only a handful of them agree to come,” she said.

“If they test positive, those near their house again hesitate to come. It would be better if the local Panchayat members help us,” she added.