ASHA’s the female healthcare activists trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system, has now become the key drivers of community-based care introduced with the key objective of bridging the gap between health services and community. They function as a healthcare facilitator, a service provider and a health activist at the community level.   In Kerala, presently around 26125 ASHA’s are in place; of which 21371 are working in the rural areas, 4205 in urban areas and 549 in tribal areas.

A redistribution of work area of ASHA’s across the state was undertaken to make it as per ‘One ASHA per Ward’ norm. Besides ASHA was made the Coordinator of WHSNC (Ward Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committee) of each ward with a population of 1500 and they could be recruited wherever they’re required as per this norm. Based on a State Government order, a process of Ward Health Review has been started, which is to be organized by ASHA with support from Anganwadi workers, and members of Kudumbasree. ASHA presents the ward health report of previous month, mobilizes participants for the health observation related events, discusses the health indicators and make the review and planning of health activities done. JPHN/ JHI in charge of the ward is also there to provide the required technical inputs. Subsequently, Monthly Panchayath Health Review for assessing the consolidation of all Ward Health Review reports submitted by the JPNHs is organized by the Health Inspector at Panchayath/ Municipality/Corporation level. It is also attended by LSG members, ASHAs, Medical Officers and other health workers of Alopathy and AYUSH system. It is for reviewing all ward level health activities including ASHA workers, health programs, Panchayath Health Status, Palliative Care activities, and also for evaluating the activities of Allopathy, Ayurvedha, and Homeopathy dispensaries..

ASHA’s are getting performance based incentives from different programmes and also fixed incentive as approved by GOI. In addition to this, Government of Kerala is giving Rs. 7000 as monthly honorarium. Honorarium & incentives distributed till  May 2024 . All the ASHAs were completed three round computer training and also completed 9 round of ASHA modules & the draft ASHA 10th Module was prepared. We have enrolled 2039 ASHAs  for AKSHARA JYOTHI  - Continuing education for ASHA’s - Assisting ASHA for completing 10th education with Kerala State Literacy Mission. This year we have enrolled 836  ASHAs  for plus two exams.

In Kerala, the Hamlet ASHA programme was initiated in 2016-17 and presently 549 Hamlet ASHAs are working in the most remote tribal hamlets of the more vulnerable tribal communities in 10 districts. Hamlet ASHA programme is a special initiative by the State government to improve the health status of tribal people in all districts of Kerala.