Success-Stories-on-Health-Sector

ProbleM stateMent
Substantial delays and lack of transparency in payment
of ASHA incentives are a deterrent in motivating
these activists.
PrograMMe DescriPtion
The State initiated fixed day (10th of each month) monthly
payments in 2009, under which payments were made
through NEFT transfers directly from the block. The key
components of this model were establishing a robust
system of claim submission, collection, verification and
authentication which resulted in timely payments. The
introduction of CPSMS (Central Plan Scheme Monitoring
System, now known as the Public Financial Management
System) in April 2013, provided a platform for the State to
scale this up. Launched as a pilot in Salepur CHC of Cuttack
district, the model was scaled up to three more districts
(Puri, Sonepur and Bolangir) and is now operational in all
30 districts.
The process is initiated by the ASHA submitting vouchers
to the ANM for verification during meetings, who verifies
and compiles the claims, and submits to the Block Accounts
Manager (BAM). The BAM is responsible for beneficiary
record creation, monthly data entry and for initiation of
payment process. The Block Medical Officer is the first
Data Approver (DA)/signatory and second senior medical
officer is the second DA and signatory. After completion of
data entry, DA approves the payment.
The PFMS system provides both online and offline data entry
options for ASHA payment. An inbuilt validation system
shows error messages in case of any wrong/incomplete
data entry and allows for re-uploading by creating a new
voucher number. Any data entry error can be rectified in
the system till the DA approves the payment.
Payment can be made in one of three ways. In the Print
Payment Advice (PPA), payment advice note is generated
after approval, printed, signed by both signatories and
submitted to the bank. The PPA contains ASHA-wise list
of incentives for payments, bank details and account heads
from where payment is to be made. Another mechanism
uses a digital signature to confirm the payment and the
money is transferred immediately to beneficiary accounts.
A single approval from DA initiates the payments process
from different accounts to various beneficiaries. The State
has also initiated Corporate Internet Banking where
payments can be made directly to the beneficiary.
After release of payments, details are printed and given to
ASHA SATHI (ASHA Facilitator), from where ASHAs can
verify their payment details.
PrograMMe outcoMes
Payment of incentives for 36 identified activities related to
maternal, newborn and child health and diseases control
programmes are made on a fixed day i.e. 10th of each
month, significantly eliminating delays and established
transparency in ASHA payments.
scalability
PFMS implementation is through the use of existing
human resources at each level and existing technology,
including banking platforms with little additional
investment. Positive results with regards to timelines and
transparency in ASHA payments highlight the strong
potential for scaling up payments through PFMS in
other States.
conclusions/lessons learnt
Payment of ASHA Incentive through PFMS has proved
to be successful for maintaining timeliness, transparency
and accuracy in ASHA incentive payment. However
successful transfer is largely dependent on strengthening
IT systems at block level as poor internet connectivity
hampers data entry and timely payment. Generating an
automated SMS on CUG numbers of ASHAs with details
of payments could facilitate the ASHA’s information on
specific payments.
Contact
Senior Consultant CP, NHM, Odisha
Email: cprcorissa@gmail.com
Payment of ASHA Incentive through PFMS has proved
successful for maintaining timeliness, transparency and
accuracy in ASHA incentive payment