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The Office of the Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare and Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Andhra Pradesh, has issued a significant directive to fill vacant ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker positions across rural, tribal, and urban areas in all 26 districts of the state. This recruitment drive, detailed in document Rc. No:1359/RCH-II/S1/ASHA/2011 dated April 7, 2025, aims to strengthen community healthcare by addressing vacancies and ensuring effective health outreach. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the initiative, including vacancy details, selection criteria, and the recruitment process.
Vacancy Details for ASHA Workers in Andhra Pradesh
As per the document, a total of 42,752 ASHA positions are sanctioned for the financial year 2025-26, with 41,458 currently filled and 1,294 vacancies to be addressed. These vacancies are distributed across rural, tribal, and urban areas as follows:
- Rural Areas: 868 vacancies
- Tribal Areas: 154 vacancies
- Urban Areas: 272 vacancies
Here’s a district-wise breakdown of the vacant ASHA positions:
- Alluri Sitharama Raju: 124 vacancies (all in tribal areas)
- Konaseema: 79 vacancies (75 rural, 4 urban)
- Chittoor: 69 vacancies (60 rural, 9 urban)
- Visakhapatnam: 68 vacancies (10 rural, 58 urban)
- West Godavari: 65 vacancies (28 rural, 37 urban)
- Palnadu: 63 vacancies (47 rural, 5 tribal, 11 urban)
- Prakasam: 63 vacancies (51 rural, 6 tribal, 6 urban)
- Anakapalli: 61 vacancies (49 rural, 12 urban)
- NTR and Anantapur: 58 vacancies each (50 rural, 8 urban)
- Bapatla and Eluru: 55 vacancies each
- YSR Kadapa: 55 vacancies (45 rural, 10 urban)
- Srikakulam: 49 vacancies (35 rural, 8 tribal, 6 urban)
- Kurnool and Sri Sathya Sai: 46 vacancies each
- Kakinada: 42 vacancies (31 rural, 11 urban)
- Guntur: 37 vacancies (23 rural, 14 urban)
- Parvathipuram Manyam: 34 vacancies (all rural)
- Nandyal: 31 vacancies (17 rural, 7 tribal, 7 urban)
- East Godavari: 30 vacancies (all rural)
- Tirupati: 27 vacancies (16 rural, 11 urban)
- Krishna: 26 vacancies (17 rural, 9 urban)
- Annamayya: 19 vacancies (17 rural, 2 urban)
- SPSR Nellore: 16 vacancies (14 rural, 2 urban)
- Vizianagaram: 15 vacancies (13 rural, 2 urban)
This recruitment drive is a critical step to ensure that every community has access to dedicated ASHA workers to facilitate healthcare services.
Selection Criteria for ASHA Workers
The recruitment process adheres to the Community Process Guidelines (2013) for rural and tribal areas and the Guidelines for ASHA and Mahila Aarogya Samiti in the Urban Context (2014) for urban areas. Below are the key eligibility criteria:
For Rural and Tribal Areas:
- Eligibility: The candidate must be a woman resident of the village, preferably married, widowed, divorced, or separated, and aged between 25 and 45 years.
- Education: Minimum 10th-class education, though this can be relaxed if no suitable candidate is available.
- Skills: Effective communication, leadership qualities, and the ability to engage with the community.
- Support: Family and social support to carry out tasks.
- Representation: Preference for candidates from disadvantaged groups to better serve such communities.
- Norms: One ASHA per 1,000 population (±10%) in rural areas; one ASHA per habitation in tribal, hilly, or desert areas, depending on workload and terrain.
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For Urban Areas:
- Eligibility: The candidate must be a woman resident of slum/vulnerable clusters, belonging to the identified vulnerable group.
- Education: Minimum 10th-class education, with preference for 12th-class candidates. This can be relaxed if no suitable candidate is available.
- Skills: Effective communication with fluency in the local language, leadership qualities, and community outreach ability.
- Support: Family and social support to perform duties.
- Representation: Preference for candidates from disadvantaged groups.
- Norms: One ASHA per 2,500 population (±10%) in urban areas.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process is designed to be transparent and community-driven:
1. Nomination:
- In rural/tribal areas, the Village Health and Sanitation Committee (VHSNC) nominates three eligible candidates per vacancy, with minutes recorded.
- In urban areas, the Urban Health and Sanitation Committee (UHSNC) nominates three candidates per vacancy.
2. Processing:
- Nominated candidates’ applications are forwarded to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) or Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Medical Officer for further processing.
- The PHC/UPHC Medical Officer sends applications to the District Health Society (DHS).
3. Selection:
- The DHS, chaired by the District Collector and Magistrate, oversees the selection process.
- One candidate is selected from the three shortlisted names recommended by the VHSNC/UHSNC.
- A District Nodal Officer and District Community Mobilizer supervise the process at the district level.
4. Transparency:
- Applications are invited through village and ward secretariats.
- A merit list is displayed and communicated to applicants.
- A selection list is published, with provisions for addressing objections before issuing the final order.
Timeline
- Completion of Selection: By June 15, 2025.
- Submission of Selected Candidates’ Details: To the state office by June 30, 2025.
Significance of the Initiative
ASHA workers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between communities and healthcare systems, particularly in underserved rural, tribal, and urban slum areas. By filling these 1,294 vacancies, Andhra Pradesh aims to enhance healthcare access, promote preventive care, and strengthen community health initiatives. This recruitment drive underscores the state’s commitment to the National Health Mission’s goals and the empowerment of women as frontline health workers.
Conclusion
The recruitment of ASHA workers across Andhra Pradesh’s 26 districts is a commendable step toward improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. Eligible women are encouraged to apply through their respective village or ward secretariats, contributing to a healthier and more resilient community. For further details, candidates can contact their District Medical & Health Officers or refer to the official guidelines issued by the NHM.
Everyone you know eligible to become an ASHA worker? Reach out to your local village or ward secretariat to apply and make a difference in your community’s health! Stay tuned for updates on the selection process and results.
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