Anganwadi workers from several districts of West Bengal have received health cards offering free doctor consultations, a 50% discount on medicines and waiver of bed charges during hospital admissions. The cards were distributed at an event organised by Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Science in Kolkata on October 15.
The initiative covered 52 Anganwadi workers, while 10 workers were felicitated for their contribution to rural communities. Workers attended the programme from Kalimpong, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Bankura, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas.
According to the report by Sangbad Pratidin – Bengal, the health cards are intended to support workers who often spend their working days assisting other people with healthcare and early-childhood services but have limited time to attend to their own medical needs. The reported benefits include no charge for consulting a doctor at the hospital, a 50% reduction on medicines and no bed fee if a cardholder is admitted.
The programme was held ahead of the festive season and included recognition for Anganwadi workers whose work is largely carried out at the community level. Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Science chairman Krishnakumar Gupta said the workers’ contribution to society was particularly significant and that the initiative aimed to bring greater public attention to work that often remains outside the spotlight.
Anganwadi workers are responsible for a range of services connected to maternal and child welfare. Their duties include visiting households, advising pregnant and breastfeeding women on nutrition, helping refer high-risk pregnant women to health centres and supporting young children’s learning when required. The report also noted that their workload can limit their ability to take part in festive activities.
The event’s chief guest was playwright Kaushik Sen. In addition to the health-card distribution and felicitation, the organisers arranged a festival tour for participating workers, many of whom otherwise see celebrations only while travelling between work locations.
The reported initiative links worker welfare with the delivery of essential community services. However, the supplied report does not specify the card’s validity period, the hospitals covered, the process for claiming benefits or whether the scheme will be extended to all Anganwadi workers in the state.
