Question : ASHA Training Project

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and provided them with funds to run the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) Training Project;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the MoU;
(c) whether the Government has given time limit to NIOS for completing the ASHA Training Project and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of funds allocated and utilised by NIOS during the last three years and the current year?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 91* FOR 21ST JULY, 2017

(a) & (b): A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, (MoHFW) National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) in 2014 for implementation of Certification of ASHA and Accreditation of associated Agencies in ASHA training under the National Health Mission. Funds have been provided to NIOS for undertaking process of accreditation of trainers & training sites and certification of ASHAs. However, NIOS is not directly involved in the training of ASHAs.

The salient features of the MoU are as below:-
i. Accreditation/certification by NIOS of four key program components namely- Training curriculum, Training Sites, Trainers, ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators.
ii. MoHFW is to provide overall policy support to the process and provide funding support to NIOS and NHSRC.
iii. NHSRC is to facilitate constitution of ‘Technical Advisory Committee’ for ‘Standardization of Training Curriculum’ which would be adapted by NIOS into 200 hours of vocational studies
iv. NIOS to develop Certification guidelines for Training Sites and Trainers , supplementary guides in Hindi, English and other regional languages and disseminate to the states and districts by NIOS
v. Undertaking orientation workshop for states and planning for ASHA certification in NHM Programme Implementation plans by NHSRC.
vi. Registration of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators in the vocational program, conducting final examination for ASHA and ASHA facilitators and issuing certificates by NIOS.
vii. A Project Steering Committee as an advisory body for implementing the roll out of ASHA Certification.
(c) The tripartite MOU has a time-frame of three years. However, the implementation of the programme is dependent upon the readiness of NIOS and states to implement the activities.

(d) The details of funds allocated and utilized by NIOS during the last three years and current year are as below:

Financial Year Funds released to NIOS Funds Utilised by NIOS
2014-15 Rs 7,64,72,049/- -
2015-16 - Rs 28,74,455/-
2016-17 - Rs 56,10,983/-
2017-18 (01.04.17 – 30.06.17) - Rs 15,22,745/-