Srinagar, Mar 26: A total of 874 ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) of NHM, J&K on Sunday appeared in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) certification examination which was conducted at the all-India level.
The theory examination was conducted by the NIOS in seven districts of J&K – Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Anantnag, Budgam, Kulgam and Kupwara in the designated centres.
As per official figures showing the district-wise number of ASHAs appearing in the exam, in the Jammu district, 160 ASHAs were trained and 163 ASHAs appeared including reappear candidates, 64 ASHAs appeared out of 64 trained in Udhampur, 41 ASHAs appeared in Kathua, 157 appeared out of 160 trained in Anantnag, 145 appeared out of 148 trained in Budgam, 165 appeared in Kupwara and 139 appeared out of 140 trained in Kulgam.
The official of NHM informed that in the UT of J&K, 61 percent ASHAs of have been certified by NIOS, which is proportionately the highest in the country.
Mission Director, NHM J&K, Ayushi Sudan said that the certification of ASHAs has been envisaged to provide a legal and administrative framework within which the ASHA would be eligible and responsible for providing community-level care for a range of illnesses.
“This would enhance the competency and professional credibility of ASHAs and allow them to use a set of drugs and point-of-care diagnostics appropriate to that level of care and also provide an assurance to the community on the quality of services being provided by the ASHA. Above all, it would promote a sense of self-recognition and worth within the ASHA,” she said.
The MD NHM informed that at present, about 11,263 ASHAs have been trained in all modules and various schemes and about 70 percent of these trained ASHAs are NIOS certified.
“The remaining ASHAs are being trained in all the modules and further shall be certified in a phased manner. Since NIOS has started online registrations now and eased the registration process, the department is targeting that 1000-1500 ASHAs get trained during every session for appearing in the All India Level ASHA Certification Examination by NIOS so that every ASHA gets certified,” she said.
Jammu and Kashmir is focused that after 2024, no trained ASHA is left uncertified.
Pertinently, ASHAs engaged by NHM work as a bridge between Health Department and the community. All the health schemes of NHM/ J&K Govt. are implemented by ASHAs at the grassroots level.
ASHA is a link through which the healthcare needs of people are being catered. In view of their importance in healthcare delivery NHM has started the project of certification of all ASHAs.
ASHA certification project is a Govt. of India initiative and third-party accreditation for stabilizing the level of quality in ASHA and their cadres as they deal with all the National Health Programs for pregnant ladies, vaccinations, communicable diseases, tuberculosis, Leprosy, etc.
There is a tripartite arrangement between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to undertake the process of certification of ASHAs.
ASHAs undergo ten days of residential training schedule at district training sites along with practical and skill tests for appearing in the final theory examination for certification at the All India Level.
This flagship project is monitored by Secretary, Health & Medical Education, J&K Bhupinder Kumar and MD, NHM, J&K, and Ayushi Sudan and has the direct and active support of Chairperson, NIOS, Prof. T.N Giri and Regional Incharge, NIOS Paramod Tripathi.
