XI Five Year Plan 2007-2012 - Public Health & Family Welfare ...

Activities Under NRHM
Encl - 5
1. Selection and Training of ASHA
The NRHM envisages that every village/large habitat will have a female Accredited
Social Health Activist (ASHA) chosen by and accountable to the Panchayat to act as
the interface between the community and the public health system. The States have
been given freedom to determine state-specific model in operationalizing this bridge
between the ANM and the village community through the Panchayat.
The ASHA workers would play a central role in facilitating the development of Village
Health Plan, working in close conjunction with the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs),
ANM, local level functionaries of other departments and in particular the Self-Help
Groups towards centre staging the health agenda for the health committee of the
Gram Panchayat and, in reference to the State of Madhya Pradesh, she would be the
catalyzing resource for the Development Committee of the Gram Sabha.
2. Village Health and Sanitation Committee constituted in all 52143 inhabited
villages and untied grants provided to them
Under this activity, Gram Sabhas shall be called upon to constitute Village Health &
Sanitation Committees. These committees shall steer the preparation of Village
Health & Sanitation Plans. Each village and community participating in a Village
Health Plan initiative needs to establish a committee at the local level. Such
committees are essential for broad approaches to health improvement that involve a
wide range of activities and individuals. Primary roles of the Village Health &
Sanitation Committees may be summarized as follows:
‣ Disseminate, encourage and empower the community with regard to knowledge
and skills required to keep it healthy by addressing its health seeking behavior
outcomes.
‣ Generate community demand for health care services.
‣ Act as social monitors on quality and appropriateness of health care services.