Role of Asha Workers in Combating Covid- 19 in Kerala

Abstract

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) constitute the backbone of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). They act as interface between the local public health support system and the community on nutrition, basic sanitation and hygienic practices, healthy living and working conditions, information on existing health services and the need for timely utilization of health and family welfare services.  The meticulous work carried out by the ASHA workers were widely acknowledged during the outbreak the COVID-19. The ‘trace-test-isolate-support’ strategy by the Health Department during the pandemic proved to be successful, thanks to the tireless work carried out by this ‘foot-soldiers’ in the state of Kerala. The role of ASHAs during the COVID include community awareness through inter-personal communication, support ANM/Supervisor in house-to-house surveillance including identification of High-Risk Groups and probable cases, ensure uptake of medical services in urban and rural areas, psychosocial care, removal of stigma and discrimination, reporting and feedback and dissemination of information about personal safety and precautions. Despite their yeoman service, the ASHA workers were treated shabbily by the state and the society.  Their woes include heavier workload, lack of safety gear and training, low pay, stigmatization, caste discrimination, domestic abuse, etc. The present paper deals with the rights issues faced by the ASHA workers in the state.