Known as the pillars of the healthcare system in India, one million ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers have brought laurels to the country as they bagged the Global Health Leaders Award-2022 at the ongoing 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
“ASHA (which means hope in Hindi) are more than 1 million female volunteers in India, honoured for the crucial role in linking the community with the health system, to ensure those living in rural poverty can access primary healthcare services, as shown throughout the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a statement from the World Health Organisation (WHO). They were one of the six recipients of the award.
The ASHA initiative, which falls under the National Health Mission, was launched in India in 2006. However, they are not well-paid. But this has not deterred them from doing yeoman services, which were particularly visible during the Covid crisis in the last two years.
Soon after an announcement was made by the WHO conferring award on them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to appreciate them. “Delighted that the entire team of ASHA workers have been conferred the WHO Director-General's Global Health Leaders' Award. Congratulations to all ASHA workers. They are at the forefront of ensuring a healthy India. Their dedication and determination are admirable,” he said.