Being MNGO of the district, Elmhirst Institute of Community Studies (EICS) has been entrusted to carry out ASHA training programme in Birbhum district under NRHM (presently NHM) since November 2006. The main objective of the programme is to build capacity and to provide hand-holdling support to the ASHAs, so that they can act as link workers of health between community and Health Department. 

The main objectives of NHM to implement ASHA programme are:

• Reduction in Infant Mortality rate (IMR) & Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR);
• Universal access to women & child health care services, nutrition & sanitation;
• Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases;
• Improving access to comprehensive primary health care;
• Achieving population stabilisation, gender and demographic balance; 
• Revitalize traditional health care practices and mainstream AYUSH;
• Promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The training of ASHAs on Population Based Screening of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was introduced in February 2017.

ASHA Training details of Birbhum district:

Elmhirst Institute (the District Training Centre) has also been entrusted to conduct ASHA Training Programmes of the Bankura district.

Along with these training programmes, the training of Honorary Health Workers (HHWs) or Urban ASHAs also started from 6 November 2017 for Birbhum and Bankura districts. The Induction Training was given to 51 HHWs of Birbhum and 42 HHWs of Bankura district in the last year (2017-18).