ASHA workers, also called 'Accredited social health activists,' they are community health workers instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Digital Desk: On Sunday, the World Health Organization honored Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHA workers, as recipients of the Global Health Leaders Awards.
The National Health Mission employs ASHA workers as female community health volunteers. They are in charge of various tasks, including immunization and institutional birthing, monitoring malnourished children, and raising awareness about family planning.
ASHA workers played an important in the immunization program during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization honored the workers "for their crucial role in linking the community with the health system, to ensure those living in rural poverty can access primary health care services, as shown throughout the Covid-19 pandemic".
ASHA workers help with maternal health, immunization, hypertension, and tuberculosis treatment and contribute to "key areas of health promotion for nutrition, sanitation, and healthy living," according to the global health organization.
Notably, In recent years, ASHA workers across India have staged protests to support various demands, including greater pay, pensions, and status as government employees. They now get task-based incentives from the National Health Mission and honoraria from state governments.
Other Recipients of the Global Health Leaders Award are:
Paul Farmer the co-founder of the international non-governmental organization Partners in Health.
Mental health researcher Ahmed Hankir.
Volleyball player and youth sports advocate Oliviera Varela.
Afghan polio workers and leprosy elimination activist Yhei Sasakawa
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said "At a time when the world is confronted with an unprecedented convergence of inequity, conflict, food insecurity, the climate crisis, and a pandemic, this award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting and promoting health around the world."
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