Delhi govt doubles ASHA workers' allowance, expands free newborn screening

Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the initiatives at the ASHA Sammelan 2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. (File Photo: ITG)New Delhi,Oct 6, 2026 22:39 ISTThe Delhi government has doubled the monthly incentive allowance for 6,690 ASHA workers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 and expanded free newborn screening to cover 63 congenital conditions.Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the initiatives at the ASHA Sammelan 2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium.They also inaugurated a new State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) building at GB Pant Hospital and launched an online registration portal for private nursing homes.ASHA WORKERS TO GET RS 6,000 A MONTHThe allowance increase will benefit Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who help pregnant women, newborns and families access healthcare services and government schemes. Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said the demand for a hike had been pending for nearly a decade. Gupta said supporting the workers’ welfare was the government’s responsibility.NEWBORNS TO BE SCREENED WITHIN 72 HOURSUnder the expanded Mission Anmol programme, newborns will undergo free screening for 63 congenital conditions within 24 to 72 hours of birth. The screening aims to identify serious but treatable genetic, metabolic and congenital disorders early, allowing affected children to receive timely treatment.The government aims to expand coverage from around 1.5 lakh newborns to 2.5 lakh. It said more than 75,000 newborns have been screened so far and over 700 children have received timely treatment.ORGAN DONATION, NURSING HOME SERVICESThe new SOTTO building at GB Pant Hospital will help coordinate organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Delhi.Gupta urged ASHA workers to raise awareness among families and senior citizens and explain the process to those interested in donating. She said she had registered for body donation through the SOTTO portal.The Nursing Home Management System portal will allow private nursing homes to apply for registration and renewal, submit documents and track applications online.The government said the portal would reduce visits to government offices and improve record management and monitoring.- Ends