Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: A total number of 2947 ASHAs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) of NHM, J&K today appeared in NIOS Theory Examination for Certification by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), which was conducted at all India level on a single date. The Theory Examination was conducted by NIOS in all the districts of J&K. Inspite of the harsh weather conditions including snowfall in J&K today, a total of 3000 ASHAs appeared for theory examination.
This was stated in an official handout issued here ,today. It said ASHAs being engaged by NHM, J&K are bridge between Health Department and the community. All the health schemes of NHM/ J&K Government are being implemented by ASHAs at the grass root level. ASHA is a link through which the health care needs of the people are being catered. Viewing their importance for Health care delivery at ground level, NHM has started the project of certification of all ASHAs, the handout added.
It said ASHA certification project is a PMO initiative and third party accreditation for stabilizing level of quality in ASHA & their cadres as they deal with all the National Health Programmes for pregnant ladies, vaccinations, communicable diseases, Tuberculosis, Leprosy etc. This is a tripartite arrangement between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to undertake the process of accreditation of State & district trainers, State & district training sites and certification for ASHAs.
The handout said ASHAs have to pass through ten days’ rigorous residential training schedule at district training sites along with practical and skill tests for appearing in final theory examination for certification at All India level.
It said at present, about 13000 ASHAs have been engaged in the UT of J&K and all ASHAs will be certified in phased manner by NIOS in a period of two years. The Department is targeting that 3000 ASHAs would appear in the All India Level ASHA Certification Examination in every six monthly session by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to create a pool of health activists in J&K. The focus is that after 2022, no ASHA is left uncertified in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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