Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bandipora,Zahoor Ahmad Mir on Thursday inaugurated 10-days special training programme for Asha workers at Government Ancillary Medical Training (AMT) School, here.Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Principal AMT School and other senior officers of the district were also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, ADC Bandipora highlighted the role of Asha workers and lauded their efforts to improve the Health condition of women in rural areas. He said aim of holding such training programs is to further polish the skills of Asha workers who hold the position of a basic building block in the Health Services.He urged the Asha workers to seize the opportunity by learning more about handling certain healthcare situations in rural areas in absence of doctors. He said the Asha workers are the first contact between a pregnant lady and doctor and in case of emergencies she must know how to handle the situations.Chief Medical Officer Bandipora termed the Asha workers as the backbone of Health department who represent the department at ground level and assist the pregnant ladies and lactating mothers besides helping in implementing all the health related schemes on ground.He said the steps are being taken to train the Asha workers so that they perform better and that in-house training programs will continue for their accreditation.