Kerala sanctions 13 Hamlet ASHA posts for tribal settlements in Pathanamthitta under 'Oorumithram'
7 October 2026
The Health Department and the National Health Mission are rolling out 'Oorumithram', a hamlet-level health care initiative for tribal settlements in Pathanamthitta district.
Thirteen Hamlet ASHA posts have been sanctioned at state level for the district, as announced on 7 October 2026, and a consultation meeting on the initiative was held at the Pampa Conference Hall of the Collectorate.
The initiative covers seven grama panchayats: Vechoochira, Naranammoozhi, Perunad, Aruvappulam, Pazhavangadi, Chittar and Seethathodu.
Women from the settlements themselves, including those inside forest areas, are selected and trained as Hamlet ASHAs so that health services are delivered within their own communities.
The stated aims are to reduce maternal and infant mortality among tribal groups, ensure preventive immunisation, avoid home deliveries and address malnutrition.
Dr Jinu G Thomas, Arogya Keralam district programme manager, explained the scheme at the meeting.
In plain words
ASHA Accredited Social Health Activist — A trained woman health volunteer who links her own community to the public health system.
NHM National Health Mission — The central health mission under which state health programmes such as this one are funded and run.
Arogya Keralam — The name under which the National Health Mission works in Kerala.