Health volunteers welcomed increase in transportation allowance

Mahendranagar: Sharada Devi Bista of Bedkot Municipality-8, Kanchanpur, has been working as a health volunteer since 2055 BS. When she began her service, she received Rs 75 as transportation expenses.

Bista, who entered volunteer service after 15 days of training with the sentiment that “service is religion,” has now spent 28 years in the role. She expressed happiness that the government has recently addressed the concerns of women health volunteers in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

She said that the increase of 50 percent in transportation allowance from the current rate of Rs 400 per meeting has brought her joy. “Even in the past, we did not come into this service for money. Our main goal is to serve. This decision has given us more courage,” she said.

Another health volunteer, Saraswati Devi Karki, also said that the increase in transportation expenses has encouraged her to continue working. “If you don’t have a bicycle and have to take an auto, it costs more to reach the assigned place. Although the salary is not much, the respect for female health volunteers in society is different, and this decision will contribute to that,” she said.

In this area, health volunteers receive Rs 10,000 annually from the state as a clothing allowance, Rs 12,000 as an incentive from the Sudurpaschim Province government, and Rs 15,000 from Bedkot Municipality.

Karki noted that while the government has increased transportation expenses, even a small increase in salary allowance would have provided relief to thousands of volunteers serving across the country amid rising living costs. “When people are sick, give birth, or face general health problems, they still rely on us in the village for advice, but service facilities are not sufficient,” she said.

Health volunteers in Bedkot Municipality-8, where seven volunteers are currently active, are engaged in various tasks from health units to ward-level services. Health volunteer Sarita Bista said she has been serving since 2060 BS and noted that volunteers continue to play a role in public awareness and primary health care activities.

“Although the role of health volunteers has decreased somewhat after the establishment of basic health units in wards, there is still public trust in primary care and awareness programs,” she said. “Locals still come for health supplies such as Jeevan Jal, zinc tablets, and condoms.”

Other health volunteers said the state should also provide a proper package of honor and facilities upon retirement at the age of 60. “We are not doctors, but villagers rely on us with great expectations. We dedicate our lives to public service, yet there is no security for the future. The government should also consider this issue,” they said.