Solution:One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission is to provide every village in the country with a trained female community health worker ASHA or Accredited Social Health Activist. Selected from the village itself (preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years) and accountable to it, the ASHA is trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. Her main roles and responsibilities are as follows:(i) To create awareness and provide information to the community on determinants of health such as nutrition, basic sanitation and hygienic practices, information on existing health services etc.
(ii) To counsel women and families on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding, immunization, contraception and prevention of common infections.
(iii) To mobilize the community and facilitate people's access to health and health related services such as Immunization, Antenatal check-up (including using pregnancy test kit for early detection of pregnancy), Post Natal Check-up, ICDS and other services provided by the government.
(iv) To arrange escort/accompany pregnant women and children requiring treatment/admission to the nearest pre-identified health facility i.e. Primary Health Centre/ Community Health Centre/First Referral Unit.
(v) To provide primary medical care for minor ailments such as diarrhoea, fevers, case for the normal and sick newborn, childhood illnesses and first aid.
