Context:
Union Health Minister announced that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers will receive enhanced remuneration.
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA):
- Trained female community health activist working to raise public health awareness and enhance utilization and accountability of health services.
- Conceived and funded by the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM).
- Deployment Norm – 1 ASHA per 1,000 people.
- Functions –
- Acts as a primary care provider at the community level.
- Facilitates access to healthcare, medicines, and sanitation.
- Promotes awareness of health issues among marginalized groups.
- Advocates for female health and hygiene.
- Encourages health-conscious behaviors and sustainable livelihood practices.
- Selection Criteria –
- Primarily a woman resident of the village – married/widowed/divorced.
- Preferred age – 25 to 45 years
- Should be a literate (ideally educated up to Class 10, with a minimum requirement of Class 8).
- Flexibility – States may relax population norms and educational qualifications based on local needs.
- Compensation – ASHA would be an honorary volunteer and would not receive any salary or honorarium.
- However, they typically receive a fixed monthly incentive of ₹2,000 for routine tasks.
- They could also receive compensation while attending training, meetings, and reviews.
- The scheme suggests that their work would be so tailored that it does not interfere with her normal livelihood.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to the National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of ‘ASHA”, trained community health workers?
1. Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care check-up
2. Using pregnancy test kits for early detection pregnancy
3. Providing information on nutrition and immunization
4. Conducting the delivery of baby.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)