Overview on Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
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 |
Rs. 17 Crore |
Preschool children in rural areas and those in urban slums |
6 weeks to 6 years |
Rs. 8 Crore |
Babies born at home and public health facilities |
Birth to 6 weeks |
Rs. 2 Crore |
Health Conditions to be Screened
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 |
Developmental dysplasia of the hip Congenital cataract Congenital deafness Congenital heart diseases Neural tube defect Down's Syndrome Cleft Lip and Palate / Cleft palate alone Talipes (club foot) Retinopathy of Prematurity |
Skin conditions (Scabies, fungal infection and Eczema) Otitis Media Rheumatic heart disease Reactive airway disease Dental conditions Convulsive disorders |
Deficiencies |
Delays in Development and Disabilities |
Anaemia Deficiency of Vitamin A (Bitot spot) Vitamin D Deficiency, (Rickets) Severe Acute Malnutrition Goitre |
Cognitive delay Language delay Behaviour disorder (Autism) Learning disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Vision Impairment Hearing Impairment Neuro-motor Impairment Motor delay |
Congenital Hypothyroidism, Sickle cell anaemia, Beta thalassemia (Optional) |
Screening Places at Community & Facility level
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.
Screening at Anganwadi Centre
The teams that are responsible for screening children of age 6 years or below are mobile health teams for diseases, deficiencies, developmental delays and also 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.
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Screening at Government and Government-Aided Schools
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.
RBSK Mobile Health Team Composition
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 |
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram or RBSK works towards making sure every child stays protected from 4 D's, namely, Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, and Developmental delays including disability. However, you can also take a step ahead and give your child an extra layer of safety with a good health insurance policy. Health insurance policies available on Bajaj Markets could be a good choice for you and your family. With a high claim settlement ratio and easy online application process, you can be assured of ample coverage for you and your family.
