Bengaluru | Date: 26.03.2026
The Akhila Karnataka State Community Health NHM Contractual Employees Union has strongly opposed the recent departmental communication dated 20-03-2026, which permits Primary Health Care Officers (PHCOs) and ANM staff to undertake the duties of Community Health Officers (CHOs).
State President Mamit Gaikwad has termed the directive as arbitrary, unjustified, and legally unsustainable, stating that it directly threatens the existence, functional role, and service conditions of the CHO cadre in Karnataka.
Community Health Officers (CHOs), functioning as Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs), are appointed through a structured, merit-based recruitment process and possess B.Sc Nursing qualifications along with a mandatory Certificate in Community Health. For the past 8–9 years, CHOs have been rendering continuous and essential services in strengthening primary healthcare delivery under the National Health Mission.
The Union has asserted that assigning CHO duties to PHCO/ANM or any other cadre is a clear violation of cadre structure, recruitment norms, and established service framework. It further amounts to unfair labour practice, leading to job insecurity, discrimination, and mental stress among CHOs.
The Union also expressed serious concern that the directive appears to be an indirect attempt to implement a “One HR” system without formal government approval or legal notification. The decision is also contrary to IPHS 2022 norms and CPHC–UHC guidelines, which mandate CHO-led healthcare delivery at Health & Wellness Centres.
Highlighting the issue of career progression, the Union pointed out that as per CPHC–UHC Guidelines (2018), CHOs who have completed more than six years of service are eligible for upward placement to Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Instead of diluting the cadre, the Government should focus on providing promotions and strengthening the existing workforce.
The Union emphasized that experienced CHOs are fully capable of delivering OPD services at PHCs, which would improve patient care, reduce workload on existing staff, and enhance healthcare access in rural areas at a lower cost.
Key Demands of the Union:
- Immediate withdrawal of the directive dated 20-03-2026
- Stop assigning CHO duties to PHCO/ANM or other cadre
- Protect CHO cadre, service conditions, and job security
- Implement IPHS 2022 and Government of India guidelines strictly
- Provide promotion/upward placement of eligible CHOs to PHCs
- Ensure training support for CHOs to deliver OPD services
The Union has submitted a formal objection to the Government and Informed that such decisions will adversely impact both public healthcare delivery and the future of thousands of CHOs serving across the state. Immediate corrective action has been strongly urged.
Issued by:
Akhila Karnataka State Community Health NHM Contractual Employees Union
Yes sir
When harsha gupta sir came , so many Crisis occured on cho need to notify the government …regards to changes in work guidelines..
Make us permanent is a only solution for all problems . union should stand with guidelines without fear of government and head of the department …no need to support other nhm staff. Do a more strikes against government , infield no one phco has decided the reports are normal or abnormal , we are the first refferal staff with early daigonsed and prevention of meternal death …only giving a immunization getting a lack of salary to them , we are ready to do immunization only if we are permanent ….
Note :- same ,if chos to ask the do the duty of phco means no one can accept the percentage will come down …
Phcos can do the duty yes maximum feedback will come to the government hence they decide to remove the cho staff insted handover to phco or new members …..
Pls don’t mention any cadre name bcz all are supported. And creating a healthy atmosphere is better to work happily…
Yes… Please look back once how the CHO cader is helping to society and moreover reduced workload to PHC and Taluk hospital by treating patients at the HWC/AAK level. And taking care of Gruha Arogya, palliative care, Emergency care, most of the data entries done by CHOs to keep Karnataka state in the ranking system. Pls Respect the workers first.. HWC/AAK is running successfully by team work of CHOs, PHCOs, HIOs and ASHAs. Strengthen the System, If you are really wants to change something.
Yes… Please look back once how the CHO cader is helping to society and moreover reduced workload to PHC and Taluk hospital by treating patients at the HWC/AAK level. And taking care of Gruha Arogya, palliative care, Emergency care, most of the data entries done by CHOs to keep Karnataka state in the ranking system. Pls Respect the workers first.. HWC/AAK is running successfully by team work of CHOs, PHCOs, HIOs and ASHAs. Strengthen the System, If you are really wants to change something.
Yes
We are serving poor people with happy mindset pls don’t disturb us it’s humble request to the government. And 6 thousand workers and their family will support in the future.
Yes no one recognised what ever we work but only for reporting. Over work load. With many programs.
Yes sir
And also fill vacant CHO’S
Yes we strongly objection with this
Government must look the eligibility criteria for regularisation –
1. CHO/MLHP appointed through CET.
2. Government spent crore together to trained the CHOs, as Assistant Physician in all departments.
3.Passed Bsc Nursing degree.
4. Workload has been reduced by giving minor treatment and sometimes Emergency treatment like normal delivery, CPR, shifting patient AMBU care and some times in the accident.
5. BSc nursing is 4.5 year course and it has all subjects related to MBBS.
6. CHOs can able to handle software and smartphones.
7. CHOs can be used in NQAS and some CHOs are working as NQAS assessor.
8. CHOs can be used as teaching faculty in District training centre.
9. CHOs have enough knowledge to conduct meeting, and to teach the public.
10. CHOs can be used in multipurpose.
Why this government or officers won’t think about this.
I strongly object because
*CHO/MLHP appointed through CET.
* Government spent crore together to trained the CHOs, as Assistant Physician in all departments.
*Passed Bsc Nursing degree.
* Workload has been reduced by giving minor treatment and sometimes Emergency treatment like normal delivery, CPR, shifting patient AMBU care and some times in the accident.
Yes strongly abjection.
Yes Strongly Objection..!
Respected Harsha Gupta Sir..
pelase, Look into the Postive view Of Our CHO Work..
We have known..
You are An one of The Honest Offficer.
But,
Please..🙏💐
We need your support.
And Regularise Us.
Yes… Please look back once how the CHO cader is helping to society and moreover reduced workload to PHC and Taluk hospital by treating patients at the HWC/AAK level. And taking care of Gruha Arogya, palliative care, Emergency care, most of the data entries done by CHOs to keep Karnataka state in the ranking system. Pls Respect the workers first.. HWC/AAK is running successfully by team work of CHOs, PHCOs, HIOs and ASHAs. Strengthen the System, If you are really wants to change something
Please….🙏