Innovative plan
Health services and its improvement is always on the top agenda of the government. No wonder than that with an aim to strengthen the grass root level health services in Jammu and Kashmir the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) for serving the Tribal and nomadic population in the UT.
Since Jammu and Kashmir has a unique blend of diverse climate conditions, cultures, languages, economic practices and other identities, the tribal population in itself is a classic example of heterogeneity.
In June 2021, the Tribal Affairs Department, J&K initiated the first survey of the transhumant tribal population. It was aimed at welfare planning in the wake of the long-felt need for focused development. For catering the health care needs of such nomadic population, J&K has got the sanction of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). The ASHAs for these areas will be chosen among nomadic population which is surveyed by tribal department.
Interestingly, more than 80 thousand transhumant populations undertake biannual migration between valleys or villages and highland pastures, along with livestock. This bi-annual movement makes the tribal population vulnerable to various health hazards and they have to carry on with their sufferings as very few healthcare options are available to them.
Now aiming to provide better healthcare services to these nomads, the administration has approved about 334 ASHAs from the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi. These ASHAs being engaged by NHM, J&K will work as a bridge between Health Department and the community as all the health schemes of NHM and the government is being implemented by ASHAs at the grass root level. These ASHA’s are proving a link through which the health care needs of the people are being catered.
At present, J&K has engaged about 13000 ASHAs who are serving the rural as well as urban population of J&K. All the health schemes, whether centrally sponsored or UT level schemes are being implemented by ASHA at the grass root level. Tribal ASHA shall be a literate woman from within the tribal community who shall be trained for implementing all the health schemes of NHM and the government among her Tribal community.
The move will prove quite beneficial for the community as their major healthcare issues will be resolved and that too timely. The ASHA’s will ensure timely intervention in case any health issues crop up and the tribal population will get help according to their needs and demands.
Earlier the tribal population had either to visit a nearby town or districh headquarter to get their health issue addressed or they had gone into the habit of ignoring their health needs.
Now by engaging the ASHAs for nomadic population the government shall provide access to health care services to this big transhumant tribal population, which they are lacking till now.
KV Network
