Background
The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) program was introduced in India in 2005 as a part of the National Rural Health Mission to improve access to basic healthcare services in rural and remote areas. ASHA Workers and Youth are community-based health workers who play a critical role in providing healthcare services and promoting healthy behaviors in the community.
ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers play a critical role in delivering primary healthcare services to rural communities in India. These frontline workers are often the first point of contact for healthcare services, providing vital services such as maternal and child healthcare, immunization, and family planning. Despite their important role, ASHA Workers and Youth often face challenges in delivering quality healthcare due to a lack of training and resources.
The upskilling of ASHA Workers and Youth is crucial for strengthening India’s primary healthcare system. By improving their knowledge and skills, ASHA Workers and Youth can better serve their communities and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of the population. This proposal outlines a plan for upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth through a comprehensive and participatory program that combines in-person and online training modules. Therefore, upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth can significantly improve the quality of primary healthcare in rural India.
Problem Statement & Rationale
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and healthcare workers need to stay updated with the latest information and practices. ASHA Workers and Youth, who are often the first point of contact for many individuals seeking healthcare services, need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide quality care. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will help them stay updated with the latest information, guidelines, and practices, ensuring that they provide evidence-based care. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth is crucial for strengthening India’s primary healthcare system and improving access to healthcare services in rural and remote areas. By enhancing their knowledge and skills, ASHA Workers and Youth can provide quality healthcare services, promote healthy behaviors and practices, and contribute to improving the overall health and wellbeing of the population.
Limited Healthcare Infrastructure: India has a limited healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas. ASHA Workers and Youth are the first point of contact for people in these areas when it comes to healthcare. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will help to improve the quality of care provided at the grassroots level and reduce the burden on higher-level health facilities.
High Disease Burden: India faces a high disease burden, with a significant proportion of the population suffering from communicable and non-communicable diseases. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will enable them to identify and manage common health problems effectively and refer cases requiring higher-level care to appropriate health facilities.
Lack of Skilled Healthcare Workforce: India faces a shortage of skilled healthcare workers, especially in rural areas. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will help to bridge this gap and improve the capacity of the primary healthcare system to deliver quality healthcare services.
Community Engagement: ASHA Workers and Youth play a critical role in community engagement and promoting healthy behaviors. Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will enhance their communication and counseling skills, enabling them to engage with the community more effectively and promote healthy behaviors and practices.
Improved Motivation and Retention: Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth can improve their confidence and motivation in carrying out their responsibilities, leading to improved retention rates and reducing the turnover of ASHA Workers and Youth.
Goal & Objectives
Goal: The ASHA Workers and Youth are trained to act as a bridge between the community and the healthcare system, providing a range of services including health promotion, prevention, and basic curative care. Despite the significant role played by ASHA Workers and Youth in India’s primary healthcare system, there is a need to upskill them to improve the quality of care they provide. The primary aim of this proposal is to enhance the competency of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers to augment the quality of primary healthcare services in rural India.
Specific Objectives
- Addressing Gaps in Training: To assess the current skills and knowledge of 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth in delivering primary healthcare services in rural India. The ASHA program was launched to address the gaps in the availability and accessibility of basic healthcare services in rural areas of India. However, the initial training of ASHA Workers and Youth may not have adequately prepared them for the challenges they face in their roles. Upskilling programs can help address these gaps by providing ASHA Workers and Youth with additional training and skills development opportunities.
- Enhancing Quality of Care: Upskilling program that addresses the gaps in 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth’ skills and knowledge. The quality of care provided by ASHA Workers and Youth can have a significant impact on the health outcomes of individuals and communities. By upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth, we can enhance the quality of care provided, leading to improved health outcomes. Upskilling programs can also help ASHA Workers and Youth to identify and manage health problems that they may not have been trained for, leading to better health outcomes for individuals and communities.
- Strengthening the Healthcare System: To implement the training program and evaluate its impact on the quality of primary healthcare services delivered by 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth. ASHA Workers and Youth are an essential component of India’s primary healthcare system. By upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth, we can strengthen the primary healthcare system, leading to better health outcomes and improved access to care. ASHA Workers and Youth can act as a link between the community and the healthcare system, helping to bridge the gap between the two and ensuring that individuals receive the care they need.
Methodology
A 320 hours training will be conducted to ensure that the training of ASHA Workers and Youth is effective and innovative, we propose the following methodology:- Participatory approach: To improve the knowledge and skills of ASHA Workers and Youth in identifying common health problems and providing basic treatment we will use a participatory approach to co-create the training program with ASHA Workers and Youth, community members, and other stakeholders to ensure that it is contextually relevant, culturally sensitive, and tailored to the needs of the community. The co-creation process will involve focus group discussions, and interviews with ASHA Workers and Youth, community members, and healthcare experts. It will also enhance the ability of ASHA Workers and Youth to identify and refer cases requiring higher-level care to appropriate health facilities.
- Soft Skills: To enhance the communication and counseling skills of ASHA Workers and Youth to effectively engage with the community and promote healthy behaviors we will focus on soft skills training along with core skills.
- Peer-to-peer learning network: To increase the capacity of ASHA Workers and Youth to conduct health education and awareness campaigns in the community we will establish a peer-to-peer learning network for ASHA Workers and Youth to share their experiences, challenges, and best practices in delivering primary healthcare services. The network will enable ASHA Workers and Youth to learn from each other, foster collaboration, and create a supportive community of practice. This will also increase the confidence and motivation of ASHA Workers and Youth in carrying out their responsibilities and contributing to the primary healthcare system.
- Blended learning approach: We will adopt a blended learning approach that combines face-to-face training, e-learning modules, and mobile-based learning tools to enhance the ASHA Workers and Youth’ skills and knowledge. The blended learning approach will enable ASHA Workers and Youth to access the training program at their own pace and convenience and reinforce learning through real-life scenarios and case studies.
Monitoring and Evaluation
A monthly progress report will be shared with Donor and there would be a quarterly review meeting of the project progress to monitor and discuss program progress. If required needful measures would be taken to achieve the project goal within the timeline. All requisite data will be shared with IGF as and when required.Project Implementation Plan:
Elios Healthcare: As training partner Elios Healthcare prime responsibility will be mobilisation, orientation, training, and reporting of the project. We will be also do over all monitoring of project delivery and outcome.
NSDC/ MoHFW: Training resources, online platform of skilling (eSkill India portal) and Course curriculum of selected job roles of NSDC/ MoHFW will be used for training of aspirants
Project Geography
The focus states for this project would be:- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
Project Outcome
The expected outcomes of an upskill training programme for ASHA Workers and Youth are:Improved quality of care: 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth who have received upskill training are expected to deliver higher quality, evidence-based care to patients in the community. They will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide accurate assessments, effective treatments, and appropriate referrals, ultimately improving health outcomes for the community.
Increased efficiency and productivity: 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth who have been upskilled are expected to be more efficient and productive in their work. By being equipped with the latest information and practices, they can work more effectively, making the best use of their time and resources, and minimizing waste.
Adoption of innovative healthcare technologies: 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth who receive upskill training will be more familiar with innovative healthcare technologies and be able to use them more effectively. This will lead to improved efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility of healthcare services.
Greater job satisfaction: 2000 ASHA Workers and Youth who have received upskill training are expected to have greater job satisfaction as they will be better equipped to handle complex situations, address the needs of their patients, and provide quality care. This, in turn, may lead to increased retention rates among ASHA Workers and Youth, resulting in a more stable healthcare workforce.
Improved patient satisfaction: Patients who receive care from upskilled ASHA Workers and Youth are expected to be more satisfied with the care they receive. This is because upskilled ASHA Workers and Youth will be able to provide more accurate assessments, offer better treatment options, and give more appropriate referrals, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and improved patient experiences.
Stronger healthcare system: Upskilling ASHA Workers and Youth will contribute to strengthening the healthcare system in rural India. By improving the skills and knowledge of ASHA Workers and Youth, they will be better equipped to deliver primary healthcare services, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for the community.
| Project Milestones | |||||
| Project Activity | Unit/Numbers | M-1 | M-2 | M- 3-6 | M-12 |
| Area Mapping | States | 4 | |||
| Training Location Finalization | Location District | 8 | |||
| Inauguration of Training Program | 1 training center | 1 | |||
| Staff Recruitment and Training | 8 Locations | 3 | 5 | ||
| Mobilization and orientation of ASHA | 2000 | 50 | 150 | 800 | |
| Counselling and Enrolment | 2000 | 50 | 150 | 800 | |
| UpSkill Training | 2000 | 200 | 800 | ||
| Assessment | 2000 | 200 | 800 | ||
| Certification | 2000 | 200 | 800 | ||
| Network of ASHA Workers and Youth | 2000 | 2000 | |||
| Quarterly Review meeting | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Monthly, Quarterly Report and final report | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
Module:
Training Module for ASHA Workers and Youth – 320 Hours
This training module is designed to equip ASHA Workers and Youth with the necessary
knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their responsibilities. The module consists of
320 hours of training, covering a range of topics related to healthcare delivery.
Introduction to the Role of ASHA Workers and Youth: 4 Hours
- Understanding the Role of ASHA Workers and Youth in Primary Healthcare
- Building Trust and Credibility with Patients and Families
- Understanding and Respecting Cultural Differences
- Ethical Considerations in Healthcare
Introduction to Healthcare (16 hours)
- Overview of healthcare system in India
- Importance of primary healthcare
- Role of ASHA Workers and Youth in healthcare delivery
- Ethics and professionalism in healthcare
- Communication Skills (20 hours)
- Importance of effective communication in healthcare
- Communication barriers and strategies to overcome them
- Active listening
- Patient-centered communication
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (40 hours)
- Principles of health promotion and disease prevention
- Promotion of healthy behaviors
- Identification and management of risk factors
- Immunization and vaccination
Maternal and Child Health (60 hours)
- Pregnancy and prenatal care
- Childbirth and postnatal care
- Newborn care
- Infant and child health
- Family planning and contraception
Communicable Diseases (40 hours)
- Common communicable diseases in India
- Modes of transmission and prevention
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Prevention and control measures
Non-Communicable Diseases (40 hours)
- Common non-communicable diseases in India
- Risk factors and prevention
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Prevention and management strategies
Mental Health (20 hours)
- Common mental health issues in India
- Identification and management of mental health issues
- Referral and support services
Health Systems and Services (40 hours)
- Health system organization and management
- Health service delivery models
- Health financing and insurance
- Health information systems
Professional Development (20 hours)
- Self-care and stress management
- Professional development and continuing education
- Leadership and teamwork
Field Practice (40 hours)
- Field visits to observe and participate in healthcare delivery
- Practical skills training
- Case studies and group discussions
LOGICAL FRAMEWORK ANALYSIS: A TOOL FOR PLANNING AND MONITORING
Input | Output | Outcome | Measurement of Indicators | Timelines | Risks Vs Mitigation |
Mobilisation of 2000 ASHA Workers & Youth with primary care background | Trained 2000 ASHA Workers & Youth with primary care background | Well versed with latest healthcare practices, health information, medico devices & skills required in day today work | Improved quality of care Adoption of innovative healthcare technologies Improved patient satisfaction Better equipped to handle emergencies Better Job opportunities | 12 months | Mobilisation of 2000 ASHA Workers & Youth owing to busy schedule
Vs.
Counselling on the need for upskilling leading to better performance and outcomes |
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
The sustainability of a CSR project focusing on upskilling ASHA workers and youth from a primary healthcare background lies in its capacity to create long-term improvements in healthcare services and outcomes, particularly in underserved areas. Here’s how the project can achieve sustainability:
Developing a Resource Pool: Upskilling ASHA workers and healthcareoriented youth creates a resource pool of trained individuals who can offer their services to the community. This pool serves as a self-sustaining mechanism that can meet community healthcare needs over the long term.
Community Engagement: Training local ASHA workers and youth strengthens community resilience and self-reliance in healthcare. A sense of ownership among the community ensures that the initiative is valued, supported, and sustained over time.
Digital Tools & Resources: Utilizing digital platforms for training, consultation, data recording, and patient follow-ups can ensure the project’s sustainability by reducing reliance on physical resources and by increasing efficiency.
Partnerships with Healthcare Entities: Collaborations with government bodies, healthcare providers, NGOs, and educational institutions can ensure sustained support and resources for the project. Such partnerships can also provide job placement or further training opportunities for the upskilled ASHA workers and youth.
Impact Monitoring & Feedback: Regular monitoring and feedback mechanisms can ensure the project’s relevance and effectiveness over time. These mechanisms can help identify areas for improvement and enable prompt action, thereby ensuring the project’s long-term success.
Volunteering and Branding Opportunities
Several volunteering and branding opportunities can be harnessed.Volunteering Opportunities
Skill Sharing: Medical professionals within and outside the organization could volunteer their time and expertise to train ASHA workers and youth on specific healthcare topics or provide mentorship.
Resource Development: Employees with expertise in educational content creation or digital tools could assist in creating training materials, resources, or platforms.
Community Engagement: Employees could participate in community outreach activities, awareness campaigns, or health camps organized under the project.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Volunteers could be engaged in tracking the progress of trainees and gathering feedback to improve the program.
Branding Opportunities
Training Material: All training resources, whether physical or digital, can carry the donor’s logo and name, thus enhancing brand visibility
Digital Platforms: If a digital learning platform is created, the company’s branding can be incorporated into its design, and the company can be named as a sponsor or partner in all communications.
Public Events: Any public events, like health camps or graduation ceremonies for the trainees, offer excellent opportunities for branding through banners, posters, and other promotional materials.
Media Coverage: Achievements and success stories from the project can be shared with media outlets, creating positive publicity for the corporation’s social responsibility efforts.
CSR Reporting: The project and its impact should be prominently featured in the company’s CSR reports, annual reports, and other communication channels, portraying the company as an active contributor to improving community healthcare.
SDGs ADDRESSED
The CSR project of upskilling ASHA workers and youth from a primary healthcare background significantly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined by the United Nations: