ACCREDITED SOCIAL HEALTH ACTIVIST (ASHA) One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission is to provide every village in the country with a trained female community health activist ASHA or Accredited Social Health Activist. ASHAs are not trained to provide comprehensive reproductive (delivery of baby), maternal and new-born care. They have several important responsibilities within their communities including: Identifying and registering new pregnancies, births, and deaths Mobilizing, counselling and supporting the community to demand and seek health services. Identifying, managing or referring cases of illness. Supporting health service delivery through home visits, first-aid and immunizations sessions. Maintaining data and participating in community level health planning