Haryana to depute health activists in rural areas

Chandigarh, Jan 1 (UNI) Haryana Health Department has decided to depute an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) for a population of 1000 in rural areas under the National Rural Health Mission so as to effectively implement health programmes in rural areas of the state.

While stating this here yesterday, a spokesman of the State Health Department said that till now about 4100 trained ASHAs have been deputed under the programme. Each ASHA has been assigned the task to motivate the pregnant women to opt for institutional delivery and accompany them to the health institute for delivery.

He said, if required, ASHA would arrange for a vehicle in an emergent situation to carry the pregnant women to another health institute. ASHA would also facilitate the women not only for pre-natal health services, but also for post-natal services. She would also help in the implementation of family welfare programme by inspiring the eligible couples to adopt contraceptive.

He said that a target has been set to train 5000 ASHAs during the current financial year and an equal number in the year 2007-2008.

Each ASHA was being paid an honorarium based on the services provided by her.

It may be recalled that the State Health Department had recently organized special workshops at Panchkula to train the trainners of ASHAs and it was observed by the experts that ASHA could prove a valuable asset in the effective implementation of health programmes.

UNI