Health assistants submit memo in Ashashuni demanding grade upgradation
Ashashuni (Satkhira) Correspondent
Health assistants working under the Directorate General of Health Services submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer in Ashashuni on Thursday, demanding several reforms including amendment of recruitment rules, upgradation to grade 15 with science graduation, and promotion to grade 11 through in-service diploma training.
The memorandum highlights their key responsibilities, such as immunizing women and children through EPI at temporary and permanent centers, TB patient tracking and treatment, COVID-19 and cervical cancer vaccination, public health education, and vital event registration at the grassroots level.
They expressed frustration that while staff in other departments—such as primary school teachers, veterinary field assistants, and agricultural officers—have been promoted to higher grades through executive orders, health assistants are still awaiting implementation of long-promised technical status and in-service training-based promotion.
A national coordination meeting held on May 9 decided that if the proposed recruitment rule amendments are not approved, a memorandum campaign will be held nationwide from May 18 to 22, followed by a sit-in program at the National Press Club on May 25 and 26.
Local association leaders including Upazila President Saifullah Hasan, General Secretary Sanjay Kumar Mondal, and other members were present during the submission.
