New Delhi: In a poignant ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan today, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, recognized the dedicated service of 75 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). The event celebrated their tireless efforts in advancing India’s healthcare initiatives and highlighted their pivotal role in the nation’s health landscape.
The 75 ASHAs and ANMs, along with their spouses, have been invited as Special Guests for the 78th Independence Day Ceremony and will witness the event from the Red Fort tomorrow.
Commending the ASHAs and ANMs for their “exceptional and tireless efforts,” Patel emphasized their crucial role in transforming healthcare at the grassroots level. With over 10.29 lakh ASHAs and 89,000 ANMs across the country, these frontline workers are integral to mobilizing communities, facilitating health services, and promoting health awareness. Patel acknowledged their contributions in delivering essential health services to even the most remote and vulnerable populations.
Underlining the impact of ASHAs and ANMs, Patel pointed to remarkable improvements in maternal, child, and adolescent health. She noted an 82% decline in maternal mortality ratio since 1990 and a decrease in infant mortality rates from 37 per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 28 per 1,000 live births in 2020. Through initiatives like Mission Indradhanush, which saw the vaccination of 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women from 2014 to 2023, India achieved significant milestones, including being certified polio-free in March 2014 and eliminating Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) in July 2016.
In her speech, Patel highlighted new provisions for ASHAs and ANMs announced in the interim budget for February 2024. ASHAs are now eligible for health care coverage of ₹5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Additionally, more than 6 lakh ASHAs are covered under various schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan.
Patel expressed her gratitude to these frontline workers, stating that the vision of Prime Minister Modi to make India a developed nation by 2047 hinges on the health of its population, which in turn relies on the dedication of workers like ASHAs and ANMs.
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra acknowledged the critical responsibility shouldered by ASHAs and ANMs in India’s healthcare system. He noted a tenfold increase in people visiting Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the past decade and highlighted the additional duties of record-keeping for diseases such as TB, hypertension, and diabetes. Chandra also sought suggestions from the workers to streamline record-keeping and enhance the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
Upon their arrival in the capital, the 75 ASHAs and ANMs and their families were warmly welcomed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare officials. Special arrangements were made for their visit to iconic Delhi landmarks, including the Nehru Planetarium, Kartavya Path, and India Gate, where they paid homage to the nation’s martyrs.
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