SHALA AAROGYA KARYAKRAM -2018/19

SHALA AAROGYA KARYAKRAM -2018/19

     Comprehensive child health care implies assurance of extensive health services for all
children from birth to 18 years of age for a set of health conditions. These conditions are
Diseases, Deficiencies, Disability and Developmental delays - 4 Ds. Universal screening
would lead to early detection of medical conditions, timely intervention, ultimately leading
to a reduction in mortality, morbidity and lifelong disability.
Under National Rural Health Mission, significant progress has been made in reducing
mortality in children over the last seven years (2005-12). Whereas there is an escalation of
reducing child mortality there is a dire need to improve survival outcome. This would be
reached by early detection and management of conditions that were not addressed
comprehensively in the past.
According to March of Dimes (2006), out of every 100 babies born in this country annually,
6 to 7 have a birth defect. This would translate to around 17 lakhs birth defects annually in
the country and accounts for 9.6% of all the newborn deaths. Various nutritional
deficiencies affecting the preschool children range from 4 per cent to 70 per cent.
Developmental delays are common in early childhood affecting at least 10 percent of the
children. These delays if not intervened timely may lead to permanent disabilities
including cognitive, hearing or vision impairment. Also, there are group of diseases
common in children viz. dental caries, rheumatic heart disease, reactive airways diseases
etc. Early detection and management diseases including deficiencies bring added value in
preventing these conditions to progress to its more severe and debilitating form and thereby
reducing hospitalization and improving implementation of Right to Education.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is a new 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. The launch of this
programme assumes great significance as it corresponds to the release of Reproductive,
Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Adolescent Health strategy (RMNCH+A) and also with
the Child Survival and Development – A Call to Action summit held from Feb 7 – 9, 2013 in
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
It is important to note that the 0-6 years age group will be specifically managed at District
Early Intervention Center (DEIC) level while for 6-18 years age group, management of
conditions will be done through existing public health facilities. DEIC will act as referral
linkages for both the age groups.
First level of screening is to be done at all delivery points through existing Medical Officers,
Staff Nurses and ANMs. After 48 hours till 6 weeks the screening of newborns will be done
by ASHA at home as a part of HBNC package.
Outreach screening will be done by dedicated mobile block level teams for 6 weeks to 6
years at anganwadis centres and 6-18 years children at school.
Once the child is screened and referred from any of these points of identification
Shala aarogya Circular