Highlights:
• The WHO has recognised ASHA workers who are at the forefront of rural health services.
• ASHA employees conducts a Covid door-to-door screening survey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Japan for a two-day visit to attend the Quad leaders’ summit, praised the World Health Organization for honouring the ASHA workforce of over one million women.
PM Modi tweet
“I am ecstatic that the entire ASHA team has received the @WHO Director-Global General’s Health Leaders’ Award. All ASHA employees deserve congratulations. They are at the vanguard of ensuring India’s health. Their commitment and perseverance are admirable. “(sic)” tweeted the prime minister.
The ASHA workers, who are at the forefront of healthcare in rural India, were honoured by the WHO. They’ve previously received praise for their efforts against Covid.
In a tweet, the World Health Organization said, “The Accredited Social Health Activist Workers (ASHA) are more than 1 million female volunteers in #India, honoured for their crucial role in linking the community with the health system and ensuring that those living in rural poverty can access primary health care services.
ASHA means “hope”
These health workers provide maternal care and immunization for children against vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as community health care, hypertension and tuberculosis treatment, and nutrition, sanitation, and healthy living education. (sic), ” read another comment.
This was one of six awards announced on Sunday by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to honour outstanding contributions to global health, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to regional health issues.
“At the time when the world is confronted with an unprecedented convergence of inequity, conflict, food insecurity, the climate crisis, and a pandemic,” the WHO chief said, “this award recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting and promoting health around the world.”
These awardees represent a lifetime of dedication, unwavering advocacy, a commitment to equity, and selfless humanitarian service,” he added.
ASHA volunteers have also helped with maternal care and vaccinations for children against vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as community health care, hypertension and tuberculosis treatment, and nutrition, sanitation, and healthy living education.
