Advertisement

Updated May 23rd, 2022 at 09:34 IST

ASHA workers conferred WHO's Global Health Leaders Award; PM Modi expresses delight

India's one million all-women ASHA volunteers have been honoured by the World Health Organisation for their crucial role and contribution to healthcare.

Reported by: Nikita Bishay
ASHA
Image: PTI | Image:self
Advertisement

In a landmark achievement, India's one million all-women ASHA volunteers have been honoured by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their crucial role and contribution towards extending health care facilities in the rural areas, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It is pertinent to mention here that ASHA workers are the Indian government's affiliated health workers who are the first point of contact in rural areas in India for access to healthcare facilities. Most of them came under the spotlight during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when infection rates were seriously high amid limited access to healthcare in rural areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and expressed his delight after ASHA workers were conferred with WHO's Global Health Leaders’ Award. Lauding their efforts and contributions towards the health care sector, PM Modi wrote, "They are at the forefront of ensuring a healthy India. Their dedication and determination is admirable."

WHO announces Global Health Leaders Awards

As stated in a press release, World Health Organisation's Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced six awards recognising outstanding contributions to advancing global health, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to regional health issues. The six awardees included the Accredited Social Health Activist Workers (ASHA). The awardees are decided by Dr Tedros himself who stated that the award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting and promoting health across the world. 

While mentioning ASHA workers among the six awardees, WHO stated, "The Accredited Social Health Activist Workers (ASHA) are more than 1 million female volunteers in India, honoured for their crucial role in linking the community with the health system and ensuring that those living in rural poverty can access primary health care services."

Further noting that ASHA means hope, it recalled how the health workers play a major role in providing necessary health services to people which includes maternal care, immunization, community health care, treatment, health promotion, sanitation, and healthy living. 

Notably, ASHA workers were also among the health warriors who pioneered emergency assistance operations amidst the pandemic and later on, became the face of the vaccination drive in rural India. 

Image: PTI

Advertisement

Published May 23rd, 2022 at 09:34 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

BREAKING: Mukhtar Ansari Suffers Heart Attack, Admitted to Hospital in Serious Condition
a minute ago
Mukhtar Ansari Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 1990 Arms Licence Case | Live
2 minutes ago
Mukhtar Ansari Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 1990 Arms Licence Case | Live
4 minutes ago
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar
5 minutes ago
ED Attack case: Shahjahan Sheikh Sent to Judicial Remand Till April 9
10 minutes ago
Manipur
11 minutes ago
Eknath Shinde
15 minutes ago
Inflation and growth
15 minutes ago
CUET
17 minutes ago
UP: Man Burned Alive By In-Laws in Mathura, Probe On
19 minutes ago
Diljit Dosanjh
23 minutes ago
mallikarjun kharge, lalu yadav
28 minutes ago
UN
30 minutes ago
Ravichandran Ashwin
36 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo