Exploring ethics in the implementation of the Community Health Worker programmes in India

The public health machinery in India is largely driven by the frontline community health workers (CHWs), namely the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and other multipurpose health workers. They play a vital role as intermediaries between the community and the health system. The ANMs perform important tasks such as spreading health promotion messages, supporting behavioural change, surveillance of diseases, delivery of maternal and child health services at the doorsteps of beneficiaries, prevention of common minor ailments and other public health tasks, as and when the need arises [1]. The ASHAs are trained female health workers who mobilise people to utilise health services and also provide basic primary healthcare.