A recent community health survey conducted by Hyderabad-based NGO, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) has revealed a rise in reproductive and non-communicable health issues among women in Hyderabad’s urban slums, shining a spotlight on the critical but overburdened role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
In a screening of over 22,000 women from marginalised communities across primary health centres run by HHF, the survey found that 40% of women suffered from irregular menstruation, with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) emerging as a major concern. The hormonal disorder, often driven by poor diet and sedentary lifestyles, affected 40% of adolescent girls and nearly 50% of adult women in the surveyed population.
“At the heart of this outreach system are ASHA workers, community-based healthcare providers responsible for a range of services, from antenatal care and immunisation to monitoring non-communicable diseases and conducting follow-ups. However, with the surge in complex health conditions, ASHA workers are finding themselves increasingly stretched thin,” said Mujtaba Hasan Askari, founder of Helping Hand Foundation.
Telangana is home to nearly 30,000 ASHAs, with approximately 2,500 of them registered and actively serving in Hyderabad alone, said a senior health official. Working as the backbone of community-level healthcare, ASHAs play a crucial role in maternal and child health, immunisation, and disease prevention. They are often the first point of contact for healthcare in underserved areas.
The report also highlighted that 22% of adolescent girls were anaemic, while nearly half (45%) of pregnant women suffered from anaemia. Pregnancy-related complications were alarmingly common, 15% of women experienced pregnancy-induced hypertension, 11% had gestational diabetes, and postpartum conditions were widespread, with 24% reporting hypertension, 20% facing depression and 43% suffering from persistent physical discomfort and pain after childbirth.
Mr. Mujtaba Askari further added that ASHAs are the backbone of primary health networks, but they are overworked and under-resourced. From newborn care to chronic diseases, they’re doing everything with very limited bandwidth.
Given that most of these health conditions are preventable with timely awareness and lifestyle interventions, experts argue that investing in the capacity-building of ASHA workers is critical. HHF suggested introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based neonatal and maternal health tools, increasing training in reproductive health counselling, and most importantly, improving pay and working conditions for ASHAs.
Published – April 21, 2025 07:40 pm IST
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