The National Health Mission, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, launched RBSK. The full form of RBSK is Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. This program envisions providing Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services through a systemic approach that facilitates early identification and links to care, support, and treatment. It aims to enhance the overall quality of life for children, enabling them to achieve their full potential. Additionally, it intends to deliver comprehensive care to all children within the community.
RBSK: An Overview
The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), launched under the National Health Mission by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, aims to provide Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services. It identifies and treats children from birth to 18 years for various health issues, ensuring comprehensive care and reducing financial burdens on families.
Features of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
Given below are the key features of the scheme:
- RBSK conducts systematic health screenings for early detection of health issues.
- Offers timely interventions for identified health concerns during screenings. It encompasses 32 prevalent health conditions to enable early detection, providing free treatment and management, including surgeries at the tertiary level.
- This initiative includes the screening of children aged from birth to 18 years, focusing on identifying 4 Ds - Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Development delays.
- To streamline child screening, close collaboration occurs with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for children aged 0-6 enrolled in Anganwadi centres, and with the Ministry of Human Resource Development for those enrolled in Government and Government-aided schools.
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List of health conditions screened under RBSK
There are 30 health conditions which are examined across four different categories. These include:
Defects at birth |
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Deficiencies |
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Diseases of childhood |
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Developmental delays and disabilities |
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Congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia (Optional) |
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Eligibility under RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram)
Given below is the target age and coverage of children under RBSK scheme:
Target group under child health screening and intervention |
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Category |
Age group |
Estimated children to be covered |
Babies born at public health facilities and home |
Birth to 6 weeks |
2 crore |
Pre-school children in rural and urban slums |
6 weeks to 6 years |
8 crore |
School children enrolled in class 1st to 12th in government and government aided schools |
6 years to 18 years |
17 crore |
Screening process for RBSK
Given below is the process through which the health screening of children will be managed:
| Age group | Management | Screening |
| 0-6 years | Specifically managed at District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) level. DEIC serves as referral linkages for this age group. | First level screening at delivery points by Medical Officers, Staff Nurses, and ANMs. Screening of new borns from 48 hours to 6 weeks by ASHA at home as part of Home Based New-born Care (HBNC) package. Outreach screening at anganwadi centers by dedicated Mobile Health teams. |
| 6-18 years | Management of conditions through existing public health facilities, with DEIC serving as referral linkages. | Outreach screening at schools by dedicated Mobile Health teams. |
What constitutes the Mobile Health team?
The mobile health team comprises four members, including two doctors (AYUSH), one male and one female, each holding at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Additionally, the team will include one ANM/Staff Nurse and one Pharmacist who possesses computer proficiency for efficient data management.
Benefits of RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram)
The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) can be beneficial in multiple ways:
- Early detection: RBSK facilitates the early identification of health issues in children, including defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies, and developmental delays.
- Free treatment: The program offers free treatment and management, including surgeries at tertiary level hospitals, for diagnosed health conditions.
- Comprehensive care: RBSK ensures that children receive comprehensive care, including early intervention services and follow-up care at the district level.
- Financial relief: Families benefit from reduced out-of-pocket expenditure on treatment, as the services provided under RBSK are free of cost.
Significance of health insurance schemes in India
Health insurance schemes in India play a crucial role in ensuring financial protection and access to quality healthcare. They provide a safety net against exorbitant medical expenses, preventing individuals from facing financial crises during health emergencies. Whether private or government-owned, these schemes offer essential coverage for hospitalisation, treatments, and preventive care, empowering individuals to prioritise their well-being without worrying about affordability.
Buying a health insurance scheme, regardless of ownership, grants peace of mind, as it assures access to timely medical services. Additionally, it fosters a culture of preventive healthcare, promoting overall well-being and mitigating the burden on public healthcare infrastructure.
Some related government schemes |
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