Guwahati, Jan 22: In a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize healthcare services in Assam’s tea estates, the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade 354 tea garden hospitals into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. This initiative aims to provide quality healthcare to tea garden workers and their families, addressing long-standing health challenges in these communities.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal, who attended the event as the chief guest, emphasized the Assam government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for tea garden workers.
He highlighted critical health issues prevalent in these areas, including anaemia, malnutrition, maternal and neonatal mortality, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, leprosy, and diarrheal diseases, all exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and poor sanitation.
The Assam government has already implemented multiple health initiatives in tea estates, such as Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), the Wage Compensation Scheme for pregnant women, free medicines, patient transport services, and new hospitals under the Assam Tea Corporation Limited. However, recognizing the need for sustainable, long-term solutions, the government has now undertaken the Ayushman Arogya Mandir project to deliver comprehensive, accessible, and quality healthcare to tea garden workers.
Each Ayushman Arogya Mandir will offer 12 essential healthcare services, including maternal and neonatal care, child and adolescent health, family planning, infectious and non-communicable disease management, ENT, oral and mental healthcare, elderly care, and emergency services. Community Health Officers (CHOs) will be stationed at these centers to provide medical consultations, free medicines, and diagnostic services. Additionally, infrastructure enhancements, including labour rooms and neonatal emergency treatment units, will be undertaken to improve healthcare outcomes.
Stressing the importance of preventive healthcare, Singhal urged tea garden owners to prioritize worker well-being and adopt holistic health approaches, integrating yoga and wellness programs into daily routines. He stated that a healthier workforce is essential for a stronger and more productive tea industry.
Singhal also highlighted that 4,947 health centres across Assam have already been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, marking a significant step toward achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of accessible and affordable healthcare for all. The transformation of tea garden hospitals under this initiative is expected to drastically improve health indicators in Assam’s tea estates, providing long-overdue relief to thousands of workers and their families.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Ministers Pijush Hazarika, Prashanta Phukan, Rupesh Gowala, and Krishnendu Paul, along with senior officials from the health department, district administrations, and NHM Assam. Managers of tea estates, representatives from labour organizations, and other stakeholders participated in person and virtually.
Later the minister said in a post on X, “The conversion & upgradation of these 354 hospitals into AAM-SCs will ensure that our tea garden communities, and citizens living in our tea garden areas, will have access to quality, affordable and holistic healthcare services.”
