File photo of Asha workers.
Smart View- Complete news, in short words
Madan Panchal, Ghaziabad. The working style of Asha workers, who have been deployed in the streets and village chaupalas to play an important role in health department schemes, disease prevention programs like screening and safe delivery, is coming under question.
In the review meeting held on December 29 at the Divisional Commissioner level, it was revealed that the progress of a total of 815 ASHA workers posted in Meerut division is very poor. The payment to the said workers under Janani Suraksha Yojana has been found to be zero.
These include 235 Asha workers from Bulandshahr, 218 from Meerut, 101 from Hapur, 96 from Ghaziabad, 92 from Baghpat and 73 from Gautam Buddha Nagar. Of these, notices have been issued to 721. If a satisfactory response is not received, preparations are being made to take action for termination of service.
Survey also found weak
The department has adopted a strict stance on not getting the expected contribution in important programs like mother-child health, vaccination, disease screening and safe delivery. Notices have been issued to all the identified ASHA workers and the review also revealed that at many places there was negligence in works like door-to-door survey, timely identification of pregnant women, ante-natal check-up (ANC), vaccination follow-up and disease reporting.
Health department officials say that the role of Asha workers is not limited to just filling the data, but it is their responsibility to deliver health messages in the streets and villages, identify risks and timely referral. Weak performance not only affects the goals of the schemes but also has a direct impact on public health.
The response to the notice should be taken within the stipulated time and if there is no improvement, action should be taken. According to departmental sources, steps like re-mapping, re-training and alternative deployment in the areas of Asha workers whose progress has been consistently weak are also under consideration, so that the continuity of services is maintained.
Role of Asha in Health Department
ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) are village and ward level community health workers. Their major responsibilities are identification of pregnant women, ANC and PNC, support in safe institutional delivery, vaccination, family planning and disease screening. ASHAs work on incentive based honorarium. There is a provision for warning, training or termination in case of poor performance.
Notice has been issued to the ASHA workers regarding improvement in their work. If there is no improvement, the service of the concerned will be terminated.
- Dr. Akhilesh Mohan, CMO