Digital ASHA Payment

Problem Statement

ASHAs are honorary volunteers who play a vital role in improving last mile delivery of healthcare services and receive performance linked incentives. Uttar Pradesh has over 1.5 lakh ASHAs and despite improvement in payment process for incentives, delays in ASHA payments continue to be a challenge. In addition, the payment processes are impacted by reliance on paper-based systems for reporting and incentive calculations which affects transparency. Paper based data limits detailed analysis and provision of actionable insights. It also makes it difficult to review FMR-wise ASHA incentive disbursement and utilisation, limiting Programmes capacity to review and plan for corrective measures.

Programme Description

Aweb-mobile based integrated platform “Block Community Process Managers (BCPM) MIS” was created for standardised mapping of Geographies (District, Blocks, and Villages), Health Facilities (DH, CHC, PHC, SC), and Health Workers (ASHA, ASHA Sangini, ANM, MoIC, BCPM, BAM etc.). The application includes a module to digitize ASHA and Sangini incentive payment process to reduce delays and build transparent payment process. The payment process comprises of following steps:

• ANM approved paper based, monthly vouchers submitted by ASHAs by 20th of the month.
• BCPMs entered and submit the vouchers digitally by 25th of the month.
• MOIC approves the voucher on the portal by 28th of the month and.
• BAM makes payments by 5th of next month using pre-formatted PFMS integrated excel sheets.
• ASHAs receive a SMS with head wise breakup at all stages of payment.

Programme Outcomes

Since the launch in Oct, 2018, 90% of functional ASHAs are paid incentives by 5th of the followingmonth. Granular data access has helped improve functionality of ASHAs by 67%. Overall average monthly incentive per ASHA has increased by 35%. Programme dashboard, called Analytica has enabled strategic use of data for physical and financial review and monitoring at state, division, district, and block level, greatly strengthening the programme.

Scalability

The application is currently used across all 820 Blocks and is being planned for scale up for payment of urban ASHAs. The modular design of the application allows for changes as per GoI and GoUP formats. The mapping used in the application is compatible with RCH and NCD applications.

Implementation Partners

National Health Mission, supported by UP TSU and Tattva Foundation.

Financial Implications

• NHM Contribution: BCPM Tablets, Internet, and Training costs.
• Partner Contribution: Software Development and Hosting, Helpline Support, Trainings. 

Source : We Care Coffee Table Book - Good, Replicable and Innovative Practices 2019