Latest news with #AccreditedSocialHealthActivist
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Agitating ASHA workers in Kerala welcome Centre's incentive hike
Thiruvananthapuram, The ASHA workers in Kerala, who have been agitating for the last several months against the state government, demanding a hike and post-retirement benefits, on Saturday welcomed the Centre's reported decision to increase their fixed monthly incentive. Agitating ASHA workers in Kerala welcome Centre's incentive hike They said the union government's decision would be beneficial for over 10 lakh ASHA workers in the country. There are media reports that the Centre approved a proposal to hike the fixed monthly incentive of ASHAs from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 during the recent 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group . The media also reported that the retirement benefits of the ASHA workers would be increased by the Centre, too. S Mini, state vice president of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association whose members are carrying out the indefinite agitation in front of the Secretariat here, said they had already carried out two Parliament marches raising the same demand. "We welcome the union government's decision to increase the fixed monthly incentive. The incentive had been the same so far since the scheme was launched 18 years ago. We have been demanding the Centre to increase this," she told reporters here. She said the Members of the Parliament from the state visited them when they began the agitation in front of the Secretariat on Feb 10 and assured them to take up the matter with the union government. The present decisions were a continuation of the assurance given by the MPs, she said. The leader said the fixed monthly incentive of the ASHA workers was now raised from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 and the retirement benefit was increased from ₹20,000 to 50,000 by the Centre. "But, we will end our ongoing agitation only when the state government increases the honorarium as demanded by us," Mini said, adding that the state authorities could enhance it easily. A section of Accredited Social Health Activist workers have been protesting outside the secretariat since February 10, demanding a hike in their honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and a post-retirement benefit of five lakh rupees. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Collector calls out health workers for not tracking high-risk pregnancies
District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar expressed displeasure with Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs) for failing to track high-risk pregnancy cases in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Additionally, he found that medical records were not being properly maintained, and sought explanations from medical officials for the discrepancies. On Wednesday, he conducted a review meeting with officials from the Medical and Health Department, focusing on maternal and infant deaths recorded from March 2025 till date. During the meeting, the Health Department officials explained each case in detail. The Collector instructed them to identify the causes of death and implement preventive measures to avoid recurrence. Health staff present shared that high blood pressure (HBP) may be a major contributing factor in the many cases. The Collector personally reviewed medical records and expressed concern over missing or incomplete entries. He additionally warned that tampering with medical records would be treated as a criminal offence. The Collector directed that if doctors were unavailable at the Family Physician Camps, then supervisors and mid-level health providers must step in and inform the respective medical authorities. 'In cases where the 108 ambulances or PHC vehicles are unavailable to transport high-risk pregnant women to hospitals, the health call center at 6303921374, should be contacted. If assistance is still unavailable, the matter must escalated to the ITDA Project Officer and District Medical and Health Officer immediately,' he said. Mr Dinesh Kumar also instructed ASHA workers to monitor whether pregnant women were taking the prescribed medications regularly, as reported by doctors. He said: 'Medical officers must take responsibility for their assigned duties.' He emphasised that special focus must be placed on high-risk cases, with appropriate plans prepared in advance. He further instructed that reports on high-risk cases must be submitted every 15 days, from the grassroot level to the higher authorities.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Health dept adopts unified disease portal to curb outbreaks at source
The Gautam Budh Nagar health department has rolled out Unified Disease Surveillance Portal (UDSP), a digital platform that will enable real-time monitoring and response of infectious diseases from village level, to ensure proactive disease control, said health department officials on Wednesday. Notably, private hospitals and laboratories are also being integrated into the Unified Disease Surveillance Portal. (HT Photos) According to officials, the platform has been designed to track 20 notifiable diseases with location-specific accuracy, ranging from vector-borne, vaccine-preventable illnesses to COVID-19 and influenza-like infections. Uttar Pradesh became the first state in the country to develop and launch UDSP in May 2023, and it has now expanded its use across districts, including Gautam Budh Nagar. It was initially launched to monitor 12 critical diseases, said health department officials. 'UDSP is a major leap in strengthening our grassroots health response. With real-time reporting from village level, we can now act much faster to control outbreaks before they spread. Earlier, there used to be delays between data collection and action at the block level, however, UDSP removes that gap and brings direct accountability. The focus is now on timely detection, reporting, and intervention,' said Gautam Budh Nagar chief medical officer (CMO), Dr Narendra Kumar. One of the key changes under the new system is the integration of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) workers at the village level, said officials. 'These grassroots health workers will conduct household surveys to identify and report symptomatic individuals, feeding real-time data into the portal. The moment patient data, such as name, address, and symptoms is entered, notifications are instantly sent to higher authorities, including the director general of health, allowing for swift response and containment measures', said CMO Kumar. A comprehensive training session for doctors and health workers from district hospital, medical colleges, ESI hospital, SSPGTI, community and primary health centres was conducted at the CMO's office in Noida's Sector 39 on July 3. They were briefed on using the platform to instantly report patient data, ensuring that alerts reach senior health authorities without delay, said officials. 'With UDSP, we are not only streamlining health data but also improving transparency across departments. It brings together field-level reporting, analytics, and command-level response into a single workflow,' said district public health expert, Dr Amit Kumar. Notably, private hospitals and laboratories are also being integrated into the UDSP. 'Once fully operational, all health-related data for the district will be centralised, providing authorities with a clearer and faster understanding of emerging health threats,' said CMO Kumar.
Mint
28-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
These innovative, made-in-India health tech products are saving lives
For Sanjita Paswan, an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker at the Primary Health Center in Dabhel, Daman, carrying a heavy weighing machine up and down multiple floors was once part of her daily routine. To fulfill the requirements of the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) program, she would use the machine to weigh newborns—often a time-consuming and delicate task. Thanks to artificial intelligence, that process has been transformed. Instead of lugging equipment around, Sanjita now simply takes a 15-second video of the baby using her smartphone. In just minutes, vital anthropometric data—including weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference—is automatically recorded. This breakthrough is powered by Shishu Maapan, an AI-enabled tool developed by Wadhwani AI, revolutionizing how newborn health is monitored across India. Shishu Maapan is amongst the many health tech innovations being made in India to meet the country's healthcare needs locally. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, India faces distinct healthcare challenges that global solutions alone can't address. Most international innovations lack the affordability, accessibility, and local relevance essential to meet the country's unique needs. Indian start-ups are rising to the occasion and are constantly coming up with innovative products which is ensuring the rapid expansion of the health tech sector in the country. Joysoles Socks Who knew something as simple as a pair of socks could be a small but mighty health tool in managing diabetes symptoms? Joysoles designs high-performance foot care products for women with their proprietary GuardianWeave fabric technology. They offer two products-the Non-Binding Diabetic socks and Compression socks. The non-binding diabetic socks are stretchy and boast a non-binding design that does not restrict blood flow. These socks are designed to protect your feet from neuropathy with a reinforced performance footbed. They also claim to reduce the risk of infections with its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The compression socks meanwhile offer a mild graduated compression which enhances blood circulation and leg support. Offering graduated compression, these socks help reduce swelling, improve energy, and prevent varicose veins. Designed for daily wear, these socks are readily available on their website. Sunflox-Spandan One of the biggest challenges in India is timely and accessible cardiac care. Launched in 2016, Spandan is a compact, matchbox-sized portable ECG device that turns any smartphone into a clinical-grade cardiac screening tool. It brings electrocardiography to the palm of your hand. It is a battery-free device that functions without internet and delivers the same accuracy as international machines at one-tenth the cost. 'It lets users take 12-lead ECG tests using a smartphone. It offers clinical-grade accuracy and real-time heart monitoring—ideal for home or on-the-go use", explains founder Rajat Jain from Dehradun. It has a user-friendly app that provides instant PDF reports and tracks the heart's rhythm 24/7 in real-time. Innergize Stress is a leading healthcare issue plaguing the country with more than 14 percent of the total population in India suffering from variations of mental disorders as per a Statista Research Department Report from December 2023. Stimulating the vagus nerve helps in reducing stress. The InnerGize wellness system from a Bengaluru-based health-tech startup comprises a discreet wearable and an app that leverages Neuro-Acoustic Vagal Modulation technology that activates the vagus nerve which is responsible for the body's relaxation system. The mild buzzing of the wearable stimulates the nerve, shifting the brain from 'fight-or-flight' to 'rest-and-recovery'. Long-term use of InnerGize trains the nerve to build a natural resistance to stress. The wearable is non-invasive, and people can use it at their discretion though it is recommended to be used daily for ten minutes. The InnerGize wearable is recommended for adults of all ages. However, those under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 should consult their healthcare providers before using any bioelectronic device. Nerivio Nerivio from Dr Reddy's is a smartphone-controlled wearable migraine band using REN technology that releases powerful signals to reduce or eliminate pain. It is a prescription-based non-invasive device intended for acute and preventive treatment of migraine for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above. The technology gently stimulates nerve fibers in your upper arm and these signals tell the brain's pain control center to spring into action. It kick starts the body's pain-dampening system which in turn triggers the release of natural brain chemicals that block pain resulting in a widespread soothing effect, alleviating migraine pain. Each device has in-built 18, 45-minute treatment sessions. It is to be used within 60 minutes of the onset of headache for acute treatment of migraine or every alternate day. Shravan Shravan by Dozee is an AI-powered, contactless remote health monitoring service designed to help families and caregivers keep track of their elders' health. The system uses a sensor mat placed under the mattress to continuously track vital signs such as heart rate, respiration rate, non-contact blood pressure, and sleep patterns without requiring the elderly to wear any devices. This unobtrusive approach ensures that their daily routines remain undisturbed while providing caregivers and healthcare professionals with real-time insights. The system provides real-time alerts, integrates with hospitals, and ensures complete data privacy. With a user-friendly interface and remote access, Shravan enables timely medical intervention while allowing the elderly to maintain their daily routines uninterrupted.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Week-long immunisation drive to begin in Gurugram slums in late June
The district health department will launch a week-long immunization drive in late June, targeting children under five in slum clusters across the city. The campaign aims to deliver life-saving vaccines to vulnerable communities with limited healthcare access. While officials initially planned to focus on five major slums, the drive will now cover all informal settlements throughout Gurugram. According to health officials, the campaign will focus on vaccines under the National Immunisation Schedule, including those for polio, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers have already conducted door-to-door surveys to identify children who missed scheduled doses. 'This is a crucial opportunity for parents to ensure their children are protected from preventable but serious diseases. We request all guardians to bring their children to the nearby vaccination centres and be part of this important public health effort,' said Dr. Jaiprakash Rajliwal, deputy civil surgeon for Gurugram. Health workers will also conduct home visits in cases where children are unable to reach vaccination centres due to illness or other challenges. The department has compiled a list based on the surveys to ensure no eligible child is left behind. Dr Jaiprakash added that a child is considered fully immunised after receiving the BCG vaccine at birth (for tuberculosis), three doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV 1, 2, and 3), three doses of the pentavalent vaccine (covering diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B), and the Measles-Rubella (MR1) vaccine at nine months. Daily progress of the campaign will be monitored, and any gaps or lags in coverage will be addressed in real time. Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort to boost immunisation rates and prevent disease outbreaks in high-density, low-income settlements.
