ASHA Programme

In News

• Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized the contribution of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) Programme during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Programme

• About:
  • The ASHA programme is a key element of the community processes component of the National Health Mission intended to attain the goal of increasing community engagement with the health system.
  • The programme rests on Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers who are trained female community health activists, selected from the community itself and accountable to it.
  • They are trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. 
• Eligibility
  • ASHA must primarily be a woman resident of the village married/ widowed/ divorced, preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years.
  • She should be a literate woman with due preference in selection to those who are qualified up to 10th standard wherever they are interested and available in good numbers. This may be relaxed only if no suitable person with this qualification is available.
  • ASHA will be chosen through a rigorous process of selection involving various community groups, self-help groups, Anganwadi Institutions, the Block Nodal officer, District Nodal officer, the village Health Committee and the Gram Sabha.
• Roles and responsibilities
  • Facilitating access to health care services.
  • Building awareness about health care entitlements especially amongst the poor and marginalized.
  • Promoting healthy behaviours and mobilizing for collective action for better health outcomes.
  • Meeting curative care needs in the area.

Source: IE