ASHAs in India – The Unsung Corona Warriors

Arun Srivastava; Archana Shrivastava

Arun Srivastava

National Health Systems Resource Centre, New Delhi, India

Archana Shrivastava

Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida, UP, India

Volume 15: 2022, pp. 37-46; ABSTRACT

This case study outlines the struggle that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) encountered at the grassroots level in India while combating the spread of the corona virus. Due to misinformation and a lack of specific knowledge, rural communities began to mistrust government workers attempting to track the spread of the pandemic, resulting in instances of physical and verbal abuse. The impact on many ASHAs, who provided a vital frontline health service, was very negative. A communication strategy had to be adopted to avoid a worsening situation. Seema Barma (Block ASHA coordinator) had the job of providing a sustainable solution for managing the uncertainty in an effective manner and to rebuild public trust in authorities, and health workers including ASHAs. Students will learn how to formulate an effective communication strategy for dealing with such a pandemic crisis situation in a developing nation with specific reference to India.