Health, Sanitation & Nutrition

Model Answer

Role of ASHA Workers in India

Significance of ASHA Workers

1. Extending Healthcare Reach: ASHAs connect rural and underserved populations, ensuring healthcare services reach marginalized groups, including women from backward communities.
2. Improving Health Outcomes: They played a pivotal role in eradicating polio, enhancing immunization coverage, reducing maternal mortality, and improving neonatal care.
3. Maternal and Child Health: They promote institutional deliveries and antenatal care, especially in remote regions.
4. Primary Healthcare Access: ASHAs assist in managing diseases like TB, diabetes, and ensuring child immunization.

Challenges Faced by ASHA Workers

1. High Workload: Assigned numerous tasks, often leading to work beyond voluntary status.
2. Inadequate Compensation: ASHAs lack fixed salaries, relying solely on incentives.
3. Socio-Cultural Barriers: Limited authority in village councils hampers community-driven initiatives.
4. Logistical Hurdles: Poor rural infrastructure makes task execution difficult.
5. Demotivating Factors: Issues include lack of training, staff non-cooperation, and family disapproval.

Remedial Measures

1. Enhanced Remuneration: Fixed monthly payments with performance-based incentives.
2. Skill Development: Training for career progression into roles like ANMs or community health officers.
3. Policy Recognition: Recognize ASHAs as permanent employees to stabilize their roles.
4. Social Security: Extend health insurance and welfare scheme access to ASHA workers.
5. Community Awareness: Sensitize communities about ASHA roles to foster better cooperation.

Recognizing ASHA workers’ contributions is vital for empowering women, improving healthcare outcomes, and advancing India’s public health initiatives.

Fact Sources

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• National Health Mission Reports
• Census Data on ASHAs

Model Answer

Importance of a Community-Driven Approach to the Success of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

The success of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) largely hinges on a community-driven approach, which is central to its design and implementation. This approach ensures that the mission’s objectives—providing functional household tap connections (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024—are achieved in a sustainable, effective, and equitable manner.

1. Ownership and Sustainability

A key aspect of the community-driven approach is fostering ownership among local communities. When communities are involved in the planning, implementation, and operation of water supply systems, they feel a sense of responsibility for the infrastructure. This leads to better maintenance and longer-lasting water systems. The Jal Jeevan Mission ensures that the local population is not only a beneficiary but also a stakeholder, which increases the sustainability of the water supply in the long run. This is especially critical since water supply schemes need constant management and upkeep to remain functional over time.

2. Leveraging Local Knowledge

Local communities possess valuable knowledge about their geography, water sources, and seasonal patterns, which are essential for designing appropriate and effective water supply solutions. By integrating this local knowledge, the mission tailors its approach to specific needs, making it more relevant and effective. This localized understanding helps avoid one-size-fits-all solutions and ensures water supply systems are well-suited to the area’s unique challenges.

3. Transparency and Accountability

Community involvement ensures that water supply projects are transparent and accountable. Local participation provides a system of checks and balances, enabling communities to monitor the progress of water supply schemes and hold authorities accountable for delays or inefficiencies. This builds trust between the government and rural populations and ensures that resources are used effectively.

4. Promoting Equity

Community participation also ensures that water supply schemes are designed with equity in mind, addressing the needs of all sections of society. This inclusive approach considers local cultural, social, and economic factors, ensuring that the most vulnerable groups, including women and marginalized communities, benefit equally from the mission.

Conclusion

The community-driven approach is indispensable for the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission. It not only enhances the sustainability of water supply systems but also ensures that they are more effective, inclusive, and accountable. By involving local stakeholders in every phase of the mission, from planning to maintenance, the JJM can meet its ambitious goals and improve the quality of life for rural households.

Model Answer

Introduction

India, despite being the world’s largest producer of milk and pulses and the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables, and fruits, ranks 111th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023. This discrepancy highlights the persistent malnutrition crisis in the country, which continues to affect millions, especially among vulnerable populations.

Reasons for Malnutrition in India

1. Poverty and Accessibility Issues

High poverty levels severely limit the affordability and accessibility of nutritious food. Poor maternal nutrition, lack of adequate healthcare, and insufficient access to sanitation further contribute to malnutrition. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 18.7% of women of reproductive age suffer from malnutrition, and 57% of them are anemic. This malnutrition is passed on to children, perpetuating the cycle.

2. Lack of Dietary Diversification

The Green Revolution, while successful in increasing the production of staple crops like rice and wheat, failed to address the need for a diversified diet. The focus remained on high-yielding varieties of staples, neglecting the importance of essential micronutrients. Open-ended procurement of rice and wheat at Minimum Support Price (MSP) disincentivizes farmers from growing diverse, nutritious crops, further exacerbating the issue.

3. Overconsumption of Unhealthy Foods

A significant portion of the population in India consumes unhealthy, processed foods that are high in calories but lack essential nutrients. Approximately 38% of India’s population consumes salty or fried snacks, which contribute to poor health and malnutrition.

4. Inefficiencies in Nutrition Program Implementation

India’s extensive nutrition programs often suffer from inefficiencies such as administrative corruption, poor targeting of beneficiaries, and lack of coordination between government departments. For instance, the Public Distribution System (PDS) faces leakages, leading to food insecurity among many intended beneficiaries.

Conclusion

To tackle malnutrition effectively and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-2, India needs to prioritize diet diversification, improve maternal nutrition, and enhance the monitoring and implementation of nutrition programs. This will ensure that every individual has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.