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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0460-0754

Corresponding Author

Imran Ahmed Khan

ikhan0046@gmail.com

Abstract

Community health professionals are critical in filling the gap between traditional healthcare systems and marginalized populations. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers have been an important workforce in providing essential healthcare services to rural and marginalized communities. ASHA workers have emerged as a cornerstone of India's healthcare system, playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between rural and marginalized communities and formal healthcare services. There is a need for expansion of the working of ASHAs to utilize them more efficiently. Through enhanced training, technological integration, and policy support, ASHA workers can transform into empowered agents of change, ensuring equitable healthcare access for all. Mobile applications for data collection, telemedicine for remote consultations, and AI-powered tools for diagnosis can enhance their capabilities and improve the accuracy of healthcare services. Reimagining the role of ASHA workers requires supportive policies and increased advocacy efforts. Adequate compensation, formal recognition, and regular skill upgradation should be integral to their roles. Engaging with policymakers and stakeholders can ensure that their voices are heard at the policy level. This review article aims to critically examine the existing role of ASHA workers, analyze their challenges and successes, and propose innovative strategies to reimagine their role in the Indian healthcare sector. By synthesizing current literature and drawing insights from various sources, this article highlights the potential for ASHA workers to contribute significantly to community-based healthcare delivery, health education, and disease prevention.

Publication Date

2023

Publisher

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

First Page

284

Last Page

290

Conflict of Interest

None

Keywords

Accredited Social Health Activists, Challenges, Rural Health, Technology, Universal Health coverage, ASHA, asha workers

Word Count

1234

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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