Anganwadi Workers, ASHAs, JHAs
The FHWs are the community health workers of the public healthcare system. The are the human resources of the health care infrastructure in India. Each of them have different roles and responsibilities of service.
THE ANGANWADI
The Anganwadi is a 'courtyard' for rural child care sanctioned under the Integrated Child Development Services. It provides preschool education and activities for children below 4 years of age. Every village has an Anganwadi and the Anganwadi is a site to provide nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-up and referral services. The Anganwadi workers are aligned to the public health systems who manage and facilitate conversations between the village and the other FHWs.
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)
The ASHAs are the health personnel who are managed and guided by the Ministry of Health and Family. They provide services for maternal and child health, family planning, health and nutrition education, environmental sanitization, immunization for control of communicable diseases, treatment of minor injuries and first aid in emergencies and disasters. ASHAs act as the bridge between the ANM and villages, and collectively work under the ANMs.).
Junior Health Assistant (JHA) or Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs)
The Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM, also known as JHAF - Junior Health Assistant Female - in certain regions) also come under the Ministry of Health and Family. Their work is generally as the role of nurses. They manage guidance and services for maternal and child health, family planning and health and nutrition education. Every Sub-center has 2 ANMs allocated (one permanent and other on contractual basis) who are multi-purpose health workers acting as links between the community and health services.
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