Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction (Brief Overview of Malnutrition in India) Opening Statement: Start by addressing the severity of malnutrition in India. Mention the key statistics from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21): 35.5% of children under 5 years are stunted ...
Model Answer Role of ASHA Workers in India Significance of ASHA Workers Extending Healthcare Reach: ASHAs connect rural and underserved populations, ensuring healthcare services reach marginalized groups, including women from backward communities. Improving Health Outcomes: They played a pivotal rolRead more
Model Answer
Role of ASHA Workers in India
Significance of ASHA Workers
- Extending Healthcare Reach: ASHAs connect rural and underserved populations, ensuring healthcare services reach marginalized groups, including women from backward communities.
- Improving Health Outcomes: They played a pivotal role in eradicating polio, enhancing immunization coverage, reducing maternal mortality, and improving neonatal care.
- Maternal and Child Health: They promote institutional deliveries and antenatal care, especially in remote regions.
- Primary Healthcare Access: ASHAs assist in managing diseases like TB, diabetes, and ensuring child immunization.
Challenges Faced by ASHA Workers
- High Workload: Assigned numerous tasks, often leading to work beyond voluntary status.
- Inadequate Compensation: ASHAs lack fixed salaries, relying solely on incentives.
- Socio-Cultural Barriers: Limited authority in village councils hampers community-driven initiatives.
- Logistical Hurdles: Poor rural infrastructure makes task execution difficult.
- Demotivating Factors: Issues include lack of training, staff non-cooperation, and family disapproval.
Remedial Measures
- Enhanced Remuneration: Fixed monthly payments with performance-based incentives.
- Skill Development: Training for career progression into roles like ANMs or community health officers.
- Policy Recognition: Recognize ASHAs as permanent employees to stabilize their roles.
- Social Security: Extend health insurance and welfare scheme access to ASHA workers.
- 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 The Integrated Nutrition Support Programme, which includes initiatives like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, plays a crucial role in combating malnutrition in India, particularly among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating women. Tackling Malnutrition Through StrategicRead more
Model Answer
The Integrated Nutrition Support Programme, which includes initiatives like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, plays a crucial role in combating malnutrition in India, particularly among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating women.
Tackling Malnutrition Through Strategic Interventions
Malnutrition in India remains a critical issue, with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21) revealing alarming statistics, such as 35.5% of children under five being stunted, 19.3% wasted, and 32.1% underweight. Additionally, 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months suffer from anemia. To address these challenges, the Integrated Nutrition Support Programme focuses on a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery, targeting the root causes of malnutrition.
Improving Monitoring and Data Systems
One of the key features of the programme is its emphasis on real-time monitoring to better track malnutrition cases. The Poshan Tracker application is being used to identify and monitor issues like stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions in children. Furthermore, the programme proposes the revival of defunct monitoring systems such as the Common Application Software (CAS), which had been ineffective since 2020. By improving data collection and tracking, the programme can identify gaps and facilitate more targeted interventions.
Enhancing Community Involvement and Transparency
The programme actively involves local communities in tackling malnutrition. For instance, Poshan Panchayats, mothers’ groups, and Social Audits are used to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds. Additionally, it fosters community mobilization by engaging Panchayati Raj Institutions, village organizations, and volunteers, which helps in raising awareness and promoting better nutrition practices. The celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) every September also aims to spread awareness across the country.
Ensuring Adequate Funding and Resources
The programme is centrally sponsored and works on a cost-sharing model between the central and state governments, which eases the fiscal burden on states. Despite challenges like inadequate funding and underutilization (as reported in the 2020 CAG report), this approach ensures that funds are available to scale up nutrition support efforts at the local level.
In conclusion, the Integrated Nutrition Support Programme plays a significant role in addressing the multifaceted issue of malnutrition in India by improving monitoring, enhancing community involvement, ensuring better resource allocation, and promoting health and nutrition awareness.
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