Secretary H&ME reviews implementation of RBSK in J&K

Emphasizes100 percent health checkup of children enrolled in Govt Schools, AWCs

JAMMU, NOVEMBER15: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar, today reviewed implementation of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakarm (RBSK) besides assessing functioning of District Early Intervention Centers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ayushi Sudan, Mission Director, NHM, J&K, Dr Saleem Ur Rehman, Director Health Services Jammu and Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Director Health Services Kashmir, participated in the meeting.

Mission Director informed that there are 216 RBSK Mobile Health teams and each medical block has been provided with two dedicated RBSK Mobile Health teams along with mobility support for conducting health check-up of enrolled children in the age group upto 18 years in the UT. Each team comprises of 2 AYUSH Medical Officers, one Pharmacist and one ANM. She informed that financial assistance has been provided to 272 children besides 68.70 percent of government schools and 45.2 percent anganwadi centers have been covered, so far, by RBSK Mobile Health Teams during the financial year 2022-2023.

Secretary emphasized that RBSK is an innovative and ambitious initiative which envisages Child Health screening and Early Intervention Services, a systemic approach of early identification and link to care, support and treatment. The efficacy of the scheme shall depend upon ensuring 100% coverage of beneficiary population in a time bound manner.

He asked the officers to chalk out a comprehensive action plan for visits to the schools and anganwadi centers by the designated teams ensuring full coverage under the scheme.

He asked the Chief Medical Officer to strategize screening of children taking into consideration the winter vacation. Besides, all children in the pre-school age enrolled at Anganwadi centres should be screened at least twice a year, he added. He asked to ensure screening of all the newborns for birth defects in the health facilities itself besides keeping regular monitoring during the home visits by ASHAs.

Bhupinder directed for chalking out an action plan of visits in schools and anganwadi centers keeping in view targets so that 100 percent coverage is ensured under the scheme.

Stressing upon making District Early Intervention Centers functional, Chairman directed that these centres established at District Hospitals and GMC Jammu / Srinagar should be made fully operational and should be capable of handling and providing support to the Children diagnosed with identified health conditions. Treatment, follow up and referrals should be provided free of cost to the beneficiaries under the sheme.

Bhupinder emphasized on a holistic and proactive approach towards attaining the objectives of the scheme through coordination with various stakeholders.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents of Associated Hospitals of Govt. Medical Colleges, SKIMS Soura and District Hospitals among others.