Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has given time limit to NIOS for completing the ASHA training programme, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to employ about 3 lakh Urban Social Health Activists in the aegis of ASHA workers in the urban areas;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the time-frame within which these workers would be employed and the details of their wages?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is not involved in the training of ASHAs. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) in 2014 for NIOS to undertake the process of accreditation of trainers and training sites and certification of ASHAs.
(b) to (d): Under the National Health Mission, support is provided to States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare system including for engaging ASHAs based on proposals received from State/UT governments. The Framework for Implementation of National Urban Health Mission, a Sub Mission of the National Health Mission provides for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) who serves as an effective and demand–generating link between the health facility and the urban slum population, for every 1000-2,500 population. Hence the number of ASHAs is envisaged as per slum population and in exceptional cases, as per urban population provided that adequate justification is given by States. The ASHAs are not employed by the Government but are paid performance based incentives for various activities under all National Health Programmes.