Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)

It is well-known that the early years of a child’s life are most critical for both survival and development and yet currently, there is no approach to screen structured children, identify health conditions warranting medical attention and ensure early intervention. As per available estimates, 6% of children are born with birth defects, and 10% of children are affected with development delays leading to disabilities. This translates into more than 15 lakh newborns with birth defects annually. Further, 4% of under-five mortality and 10% of neonatal mortality are attributed to birth defects.

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is an important initiative aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 ‘D’s viz. Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including disability. Under this program screening of children from 0 to 18 years of age will be done by Mobile Health teams.

Screening of the newborn, both at public health facilities and at home, regular health screening of preschool children up to 6 years of age at Aganwadi centers, and children from 6 to 18 years of age studying in Government and Government aided schools will receive regular health check-ups.

All those children who may be diagnosed for any of the 30 illnesses would receive follow-up referral support and treatment including surgical interventions at the tertiary level free of cost under this programme.

The screening of children in the Anganwadi Centers would be conducted at least twice a year and at least once a year for school children. The Mobile Health Team consists of four members - two Doctors (AYUSH) one male and one female, one ANM, and one Pharmacist . 

An Early Intervention Center has been established at Medical college/ District Hospital. The purpose of the Early Intervention Center is to provide the first referral point for further investigation, treatment, and management. Tertiary care centers would be roped in for the management of complicated cases requiring high-end medical care and treatment.

Identified 30 Health conditions for Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services