With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of ‘ASHA’, a trained community health worker?
- Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup
- Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy
- Providing information on nutrition and immunization
- Conducting the delivery of baby
Select he correct answer using the codes given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- India’s Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) program was established by the ASHA) program in 2010 with an aim to improve health outcomes—particularly among women and children—and to reduce geographic and socioeconomic disparities.
- ASHAs are recruited and trained to work in their own communities as health activists, educators and providers of basic essential services.
Responsibilities of ASHA workers
- Identifying and registering new pregnancies, births, and deaths.
- Mobilizing, counselling and supporting the community to demand and seek health services.
- Identifying, managing, or referring cases of illness.
- Supporting health service delivery through home visits, first-aid and immunizations sessions.
- Maintaining data and participating in community-level health planning.
- Arrange escort/accompany pregnant women & children requiring treatment/ admission to the nearest pre-identified health facility i.e. Primary Health Centre/ Community Health Centre/ First Referral Unit (PHC/CHC /FRU). Hence statement 4 is incorrect.
