ASHA and anganwadi staff get health cover

Source-This post on ASHA workers has been created based on the article “ASHA, anganwadi staff get health cover” published in “The Hindu” on 1 February 2024.

Why in the news?

The Central government extended the benefits of its flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and Anganwadi workers.

About Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)?

Launched– In 2005-06 as part of the National Rural Health Mission, initially in rural areas. It was later extended to urban areas with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.

Selection

1) ASHA worker must be a woman resident of the village married/ widowed/ divorced, preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years.
2) ASHA must be chosen through a systematic process by involving various community groups, self-help groups, the Block Nodal officer, District Nodal officer, the village Health Committee and the Gram Sabha.

Role of ASHA

1)  ASHA will provide information to the community about nutrition, basic sanitation & hygienic practices.
2) ASHA will counsel women on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breast-feeding and complementary feeding and immunization.
3) ASHA will mobilise the community and help them in accessing health and health related services available at the Anganwadi/sub-centre/primary health centres.

MISSION INDRADHANUSH-

Aim– to cover all children who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases.
Coverage-India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) provide free vaccines against 12 life-threatening diseases. For example-Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea. (Rubella, JE and Rotavirus vaccine in select states and districts).

Read More- Ayushman Bharat programme

UPSC Syllabus-Scheme & programmes.