SHILLONG: The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) have to play an active role in improving rural healthcare services through public participation, Health and Family Welfare Minister Roshan Warjri said on Thursday.
Addressing a gathering at the district-level workshop and training programme for ASHAs at U Soso Tham Auditorium Warjri said, “There has to be cooperation among ASHAs, ANMs and traditional heads of villages. ASHAs can extend help to a family and society bringing overall socio-economic development in the State.”
Terming the social health activists as missionaries who have the spirit of sacrifice despite getting less incentive, Warjri said they have the mantle to ward off superstition about certain diseases that children suffer from by creating awareness. Warjri stressed on the need for institutional delivery to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in villages. She asked ASHAs to encourage women to go to health centres.
Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills P.S Dkhar pointed out the difficulties that health workers face.
National Health Mission Managing Director HM Shangpliang lauded their efforts as the percentage of polio immunisation and Indradhanush is better in rural areas than in urban pockets. Asking them to work towards better results, he said, “ASHAs should take serious note of certain cases.” He informed that there are more than 1,000 ASHAs in the district.
Shangpliang urged ASHAs to play a key role in eliminating the menace of alcoholism and smoking among males, especially the young boys.
Warjri released ‘Community Process Programme Update 2016-17’, which focused on the progress of ASHA programmes in the last 10 years.
Later, a 30-minute documentary was screened to capture the experiences of ASHAs in all districts of Meghalaya.
Awards for ASHAs
The Minister handed over the Best District ASHA Award to Fulgida Dkhar, Mawroh PHC, Mylliem C&RD Block for the year 2014-15 and Bandakerlin Japang, Sohbar PHC, Shella Bholaganj C&RD Block for 2015-16.
Best Block ASHA Award went to Wilrose Syiemiong, Mawphlang C&RD Block for the year 2014-15, Fulgida Dkhar, Mylliem C&RD Block for the year 2014-15, Banisha Khongsti, Laitkroh C&RD Block for the year 2014-15 and Joplanglin Buhphang, Laitkroh C&RD Block for the year 2015-16 which was distributed by the minister.
