Corporation faces shortage of ASHA workers

KOCHI: The total number of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in the Corporation is found to be less than a quarter of the required number.  The programme to appoint ASHA workers in the Corporation was launched about one and a half years ago, to counter the scarcity of ground-level health personnel in the city. As per guidelines of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), under which the ASHA workers are appointed, one activist must be designated for 1,000 persons each. But the Corporation with an estimated population of  8 lakh has just 189 ASHA workers when the target is 800. “In the areas which come under the panchayats we have a fairly good network of health workers to keep track of the population especially when it comes to outbreaks, nutritional requirements and other aspects of health.  “Though the efforts are on to induct more ASHA workers, it is proving to be much more difficult,” District NRHM officer Dr K V Beena said. The absence of permanent income is one of the key reasons for the decline in the numbers. “ASHA workers are paid based on their performance.  For every immunisation, identification and care of pregnant mother they receive a particular amount. Some of them can make as much as Rs 700-800 a month. But in the city when the cost of living is higher and when there is more job availability, many are reluctant to take up the work. Moreover, the honorarium of Rs 300 has not materialised. As such the work does not guarantee any permanent income which might again be a reason for the lack of enthusiasm,” says Dr Parvathy A, District Reproductive and Child Welfare Officer. The Health Department has been taking up several measures to improve the numbers, officials say. The week-long compulsory residential training for the ASHA workers for instance has been reduced to day-long training. The training camps have been shifted to city limits as against far-flung pockets. “After the efforts, there is some improvement in areas such as Fort Kochi,Mattanchery and Pallathuruthy. But the issue mainly lies in the main city,” District Reproductive and Child Welfare Officer says.