Accredited Social Health Activist
Accredited social health activist (ASHA) is primarily a woman resident of the village, preferably in the age of 25-45 years, married/widow/divorced, educated upto minimum of 8th standard. She is being selected by the village health and sanitation committee, at the rate of one per 1000 population and is accountable to village Panchayat.
She acts as an interface /link worker between the community (family level) and the public health system (female health worker) by providing primary health care.
She motivates the pregnant mother of her area to get at least three antenatal visits.
She escorts for institutional delivery.
She ensures postnatal check ups in case of home deliveries
She promotes the couples to adopt suitable contraceptive (temporary and permanent) method and to have a small family norm.
She promotes adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) among adolescent girls.
She advice the mother on correct breastfeeding practice and immunization of child.
She creates awareness among the people about the importance of cleanliness in and around the houses, drinking safe water, using sanitary latrines, personal hygiene.
She also acts as a DOTS agent under RNCTP
She will inform about the births and deaths to the subcenter or Primary Health Center.
She provides treatment for minor ailments and first aid for minor injuries.
She acts as a depot holder for essential provision like ORS packs, IFA tablets, disposable delivery kits, oral pills, condoms, etc.
She works with village health committee to develop comprehensive village health plan.
Thus asha provides basic nutritional, immunization, family planning and educational services.
Accredited social health activist (ASHA) is not entitled to any pay. She is a honourary volunteer receiving performance based compensation for escorting services under Janani Suraksha yojana (JSY), for promoting universal immunization and also TA/DA for attending training. Anganwadi worker and female health worker of the area and attends monthly meeting.
Currently, ASHA is envisaged in 18 focus states. After the orientation Training, ASHA is positioned with kits containing both AYUSH and allopathic formulation.
Comments
Manjit Singh
19-Mar-2021 01:47 PMvery nice