ASHA: A Ray of Hope in Indian Public Health Service Will It Shine Bright?

ASHA -‘Accredited Social Health Activist’ is an off shoot of the ambitious NRHM scheme announced by the Government in April 2005 to provide a sure shot and effective health care to the rural population especially women. Selected from the village itself and accountable to it, ASHA is trained to work as an interface between the community and public health system. Considering the fact that a woman with a rural background, primary education, in a male dominated villagefaced with class, caste, gender issues, is expected to deal with medical issues of an uneducated society bound by superstitions and ignorance that too with limited resources and incentives, can we hope this scheme to be successful and effective? The presentpaper deals with the history, pros and cons, credibility, pragmatismJuture and relevance of ASHA.