Under the MoHFW, the National Health Mission is committed in its goal of providing universal access to health care services by ensuring that they are equitable, affordable, quality oriented and based on the needs of the people. The ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), under the NRHM program plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal at the community level. Launched in 2005, the ASHA programme is the largest community health worker programme in the world. ASHAs act as a bridge between the community and public health services by playing the roles of a health provider, facilitator and an activist.
To enhance the competency and professional credibility of ASHAs in providing quality health care services in the community, the ASHA Certification programme has been launched. It is a tripartite understanding between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
To certify approximately 9,00,000 ASHAs covering all districts of 35 states & Union Territories