RBSK or Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is a scheme meant for children of up to 18 years of age. This scheme, launched by the Government of India, works toward identifying and intervening to prevent diseases, defects at birth, deficiencies, and developmental delays.
In a staggered manner,the RBSK scheme aims to reach out to and help over 27 Crore children in India.
Under the RBSK scheme, screening of children will be undertaken at the community level, and at Public Health Centres/Digital Hospitals/Community Health Centres.
Children under 0-6 years of age along with those enrolled in classes I to XII in government and government-aided schools are covered under the RBSK scheme. The targeted groups are further subdivided into three categories owing to the fact that they necessitate the use of different sets of tools and might have different priorities. About 27 crore children are expected to be reached in a phased manner under the RBSK scheme. The subcategories are as follows:
Categories |
Age Group |
Estimated Coverage |
School children enrolled in class 1st to 12th in government and schools aided by government |
6 to 18 years |
₹17 Crore |
Preschool children in rural areas and those in urban slums |
6 weeks to 6 years |
₹8 Crore |
Babies born at home and public health facilities |
Birth to 6 weeks |
₹2 Crore |
30 selected health conditions are covered under the Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services of the RBSK. Additionally, diseases like hypothyroidism, Sickle cell anaemia and Beta Thalassemia can also be included by States and UTs based on the epidemiological situation and the availability of necessary facilities for testing and support. The following table enlists the selected health conditions as classified under the 4 D’s:
Selected Health Conditions for Screening of Child Health and Early Intervention Services |
|
Birth Defects |
Childhood Diseases |
|
|
Deficiencies |
Delays in Development and Disabilities |
|
|
Congenital Hypothyroidism, Sickle cell anaemia, Beta thalassemia (Optional) |
The screening mechanism under the RBSK is divided into two types, one done at the facility level at Public Health Centres/ Community Health Centres/Digital Hospitals by medical practitioners, and the other done at the community level. Mobile health teams at Anganwadi centres and government and government-aided schools help in screening at the community level.
The teams that are responsible for screening children of age 6 years or below are mobile health teams for diseases, deficiencies, developmental delays, and disability at the Anganwadi centres. The children are screened at least two times a year. The teams use pictorials, reference charts, etc. as part of the tools for screening. Those who are suspected of such delay in their development are then referred to the DEIC for any further management.
Children in the age group of 6-18 years are screened for any developmental delays that also include disability, deficiencies, diseases, and adolescent health at the local schools at least one time a year. The tools used here are mostly questionnaires (preferably translated to a local language) and clinical examinations.
Here’s a year-wise breakdown of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram Scheme’s performance.
Financial Year |
Screened Children |
Referred Children |
Total No. of Treatments |
2013-14 |
17,95,346 |
1,93,429 |
1,45,259 |
2014-15 |
31,24,689 |
1,52,560 |
17,449 |
2015-16 |
48,68,879 |
1,11,232 |
37,959 |
2016-17 |
63,35,738 |
1,44,637 |
75,417 |
2017-18 |
1,16,93,842 |
1,08,437 |
95,574 |
2018-19 |
69,63,751 |
1,18,070 |
96,828 |
2019-20 |
68,23,156 |
2,34,772 |
1,98,376 |
2020-21 |
21,33,597 |
1,13,379 |
90,634 |
The mobile health team consists of four members as mentioned in the table below:
Suggested Composition of Mobile Health Team |
||
No. |
Member |
Number of members |
1 |
Medical officers (AYUSH) -1 male and 1 female. Both should have at least a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution |
2 |
2 |
Staff Nurse/ANM |
1 |
3 |
Pharmacist with proficiency in computer handling for data management |
1 |
*In case of Pharmacist’s unavailability, other paramedics like lab technician or ophthalmic assistant can also work |
RBSK full form is Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.
There are four members in the RBSK mobile health team.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India launched the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under the National Health Mission.
A total of 30 selected health conditions are covered under the Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services of the RBSK.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, RBSK is an initiative under the Indian government’s National Health Mission that aims at early identification and intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 D's.
The 4 D’s of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram are Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, and Development delays including disability.
This initiative primarily aims at early identification and intervention of defects, deficiencies, diseases and delays in health in children up to 18 years of age.