The WHO hails one million Indian ASHA workers for delivering hope

GENEVA, May 23 (The CONNECT) – ASHA workers of India have received the WHO Director-General’s Award for Global Health 2022 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.

Hailing India’s more than one million Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, for their work to connect people with health services, WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “in Hindi, ASHA means hope”. “And that is exactly what the ASHAs deliver,” Dr Tedros said in his Awards speech at the World Health Assembly yesterday.

ASHAs are trained female volunteers who take health services to rural, marginalized and hard-to-reach communities across India. They provide maternal care and immunization for children; community health care; treatment for hypertension and tuberculosis; and services for nutrition, sanitation, and healthy living.

They play a critical role in India’s primary health care system, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential health services to millions of people, Dr Tedros said.

He explained that the turmoil of these pandemic years has been profound, unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. It has been a time of suffering, and of great loss.

In the face of fear and hardship, Dr Tedros said, “our health and care workers have stood firm, often at great personal risk. Some paid the ultimate price”. “We are humbled,” he said recounting the exceptional individuals, who went so far beyond the call of duty, to work for the greater good, to protect life and promote health.

“Their work and dedication should be an inspiration to health and care workers everywhere,” he said.

Seema Pujani, First Secretary from the Permanent Mission of India, received the award on behalf of the ASHA workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ASHA workers. In a tweet, Modi said: “Delighted that the entire team of ASHA workers have been conferred the @WHO Director-General’s Global Health Leaders’ Award. Congratulations to all ASHA workers. They are at the forefront of ensuring a healthy India. Their dedication and determination is admirable.”

The WHO hails one million Indian ASHA workers for delivering hope

GENEVA, May 23 (The CONNECT) – ASHA workers of India have received the WHO Director-General’s Award for Global Health 2022 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.

Hailing India’s more than one million Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, for their work to connect people with health services, WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “in Hindi, ASHA means hope”. “And that is exactly what the ASHAs deliver,” Dr Tedros said in his Awards speech at the World Health Assembly yesterday.

ASHAs are trained female volunteers who take health services to rural, marginalized and hard-to-reach communities across India. They provide maternal care and immunization for children; community health care; treatment for hypertension and tuberculosis; and services for nutrition, sanitation, and healthy living.

They play a critical role in India’s primary health care system, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential health services to millions of people, Dr Tedros said.

He explained that the turmoil of these pandemic years has been profound, unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. It has been a time of suffering, and of great loss.

In the face of fear and hardship, Dr Tedros said, “our health and care workers have stood firm, often at great personal risk. Some paid the ultimate price”. “We are humbled,” he said recounting the exceptional individuals, who went so far beyond the call of duty, to work for the greater good, to protect life and promote health.

“Their work and dedication should be an inspiration to health and care workers everywhere,” he said.

Seema Pujani, First Secretary from the Permanent Mission of India, received the award on behalf of the ASHA workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ASHA workers. In a tweet, Modi said: “Delighted that the entire team of ASHA workers have been conferred the @WHO Director-General’s Global Health Leaders’ Award. Congratulations to all ASHA workers. They are at the forefront of ensuring a healthy India. Their dedication and determination is admirable.”