The Union Health Minister announced that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers will receive enhanced remuneration.
- The announcement was made in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour.
- Opposition parties protested in Parliament, demanding an increase in ASHA workers’ honorarium to ₹21,000 and retirement benefits of ₹5 lakh.
About ASHA Workers
- ASHAs are female volunteers from local communities trained to promote health awareness and improve access to healthcare services.
- Their primary role was to act as a bridge between the community and the healthcare system.
- Origin : ASHA workers were introduced as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.
- The scheme was later extended to urban areas under the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.
- Implementation: The ASHA scheme is currently operational in all States and Union Territories except Goa.
- Training and Collaboration: ASHA workers receive training from Anganwadi Workers (ANWs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) to perform their duties effectively.
- State Mandates: States are required to employ at least one ASHA worker per 1,000 people.
- In tribal, hilly, and desert regions, the ratio may be adjusted based on workload, with one ASHA worker per habitation.
Role of ASHAs in Developing India
- Improving Maternal and Child Health: ASHA workers promote institutional deliveries and antenatal care, leading to reduced maternal and infant mortality rates.
- They assist in early detection of pregnancy using pregnancy test kits.
- They provide information on nutrition and immunization to mothers and families.
- Enhancing Immunization Rates: ASHA workers receive performance-based incentives for promoting immunization and reproductive and child health services.
- They also encourage the construction of household toilets as part of public health initiatives.
- Disease Surveillance: ASHA workers play a key role in reporting disease outbreaks and promoting early diagnosis.
- They assist in programs like the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP).
- Advocating Female Health and Hygiene: ASHA workers promote awareness of female health and hygiene standards.
- They earn additional income through the social marketing of healthcare products such as condoms, contraceptive pills, and sanitary napkins.
About Honorarium Payment for ASHA Workers
- Current salary: ASHAs receive a fixed monthly incentive of Rs. 2000 per month for routine and recurring activities.
- Additionally, they are provided performance-based incentives for a varied set of activities under various National Health Programmes.
- Centre-State Funding Pattern: The National Health Mission (NHM) follows a funding pattern of 60:40 between the Centre and States, except for 8 North Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States (90:10), while Union Territories without a legislature receive 100% central funding.
- State’s Role in Salary Decisions: While the NHM provides financial and technical support, State/UT governments have full authority over administrative and personnel matters, including ASHA workers’ salaries and incentives.
- Flexibility in Salary Structure: States can modify honorarium structures within NHM guidelines, ensuring ASHAs meet the minimum selection criteria and widely disseminating any changes in local languages.
Anganwadi Workers (ANW)
- Anganwadi Workers (ANWs) are functionaries under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
- They manage Anganwadi centers, which provide childcare and maternal care services.
- Functions of Anganwadi Centers
- They provide supplementary nutrition to children and mothers.
- They offer non-formal preschool education for children.
- They conduct nutrition and health education programs for mothers and pregnant women.
- They assist in immunization efforts and implement programs like Kishori Shakti Yojana and family planning initiatives.
- They are supported by Anganwadi Helpers (AWH), who work part-time.
About ANM Workers (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife)
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) are female health workers based at health sub-centers or primary health centers.
- They are essential frontline workers under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
- Responsibilities:
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- The ANM cadre was introduced in the 1950s to focus on maternal health and midwifery.
- Over time, their role expanded to include family planning, immunization, and the prevention and care of infectious diseases.
- ANMs are now designated as multipurpose workers (MPWs), handling various public health responsibilities.
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