Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
About the programme:
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is a health initiative aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 30 plus health conditions termed as 4 ‘D’s viz. Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including disability. The programme was initiated in the state of Mizoram from July, 2013.
Aims & Objectives:
RBSK aims to manage the 0 - 6 years age group mostly at District Early Intervention Center ( DEIC ) level, the first referral centre established under the programme while for 6 -18 years age group, management of conditions is presently done through both the DEIC(s) as well as existing public health facilities such as Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres, Urban Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Health & Wellness Centres, Sub District Hospitals, District Hospitals, Civil Hospital, Aizawl and several faith-based and privately-run hospitals within and outside the state of Mizoram. Since its establishment in 2015, the two DEICs have been serving as the main referral linkages for all clients under the programme.
Target Group:
Categories | Age-group |
Babies born in public facilities and at home | Birth to 6 weeks |
Pre-school Children enrolled in Anganwadi Centers | 6 weeks to 6 years |
Children enrolled in classes 1st to 12th Standard in Govt. and Govt.Aided Schools | 6 years to 18 years |
Implementation Mechanism:
The RBSK Operational Guidelines outline following mechanism to reach all the target groups of children for health screening-
- For new born:
- Facility based newborn screening at public health facilities, by existing health manpower.
- Community based newborn screening at home through ASHAs for newborn till 6 weeks of age during home visitation.
- For children 6 weeks to 6 years:
- Anganwadi Center based screening by the dedicated District RBSK Mobile Health Teams.
- For children 6 years to 18 years:
- Government and Government aided school based screening by dedicated District RBSK Mobile Health Teams.
HR under the Programme:
- Recruitment & engagement of 2 support staff i.e, State Coordinator (RBSK) and Consultant (DEIC cum Service Access) at the state level to assist the State Nodal Officer (RBSK).
- Recruitment & engagement of 9 DEICs managers. All are posted across all 9 Health districts.
- Recruitment & engagement of DEICs staffs posted in the 2 DEICs established in Aizawl West & Lunglei districts. Aizawl West DEIC is short of Audiologist while Lunglei DEIC is short of visiting Pediatrician & Audiologist.
- Recruitment of 58 Medical Officers (DENTAL/ AYUSH) - engaged as Team Leaders of dedicated RBSK Mobile Health Teams across all 9 Health districts.
- Recruitment of 20 Pharmacists- engaged as part of dedicated RBSK Mobile Health Teams across all 9 Health districts.
- Engagement of 11 ANM/Health Workers (regular & contractual)- engaged as part of dedicated RBSK Mobile Health Teams across all 9 Health districts.
Facilities under the Programme:
- Provision of RBSK Surgical Packages for 13 select conditions to help ease Out of Pocket Expenditure on the part of clients.
- Procurement of Essential Drugs/ Medical Supplies under RBSK Mobile Health Teams to needy clients during health screening to minimize Out of Pocket Expenditure on the part of clients.
- Establishment of 2 DEICs in Aizawl West & Lunglei districts respectively. Both centers act as hubs of all referrals under RBSK.
- Provision of Mobility Support for Hiring of Vehicle to existing 25 RBSK Mobile Health Teams.
- Provision of Daily Allowance for RBSK Mobile Health Teams for visits requiring Overnight Halt/ Overnight Stay.
List of affiliated Public & Private Health Institutions under RBSK (where Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) is signed):
Name of Health Institution | Institution Type | Conditions being treated |
Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore | Private | Congenital Heart Disease/ Rheumatic Heart Disease |
MiracleFeet India | Non-governmental Organization | Clubfoot |
Clubfoot Society of Mizoram | Society | Clubfoot |
Synod Hospital, Durtlang | Faith-based | Strabismus; Congenital Cataract; |
State Referral Hospital, Falkawn | Public | Cleft Lip/ Cleft Palate |
Civil Hospital, Aizawl, all District Hospitals and other public health facilities under H&FW Department | Public | Other conditions treatable by each facility. |
PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT OF RBSK-AIZAWL WEST DISTRICT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2021-2022 (April, 2021-March, 2022)
Sl. No | COMPONENT | TARGET IN Nos. | ACHIEVEMENT | % OF ACHIEVEMENT |
1 | Total No. of Schools visited | 241 | 79 | 33% |
2 | No.of School children screened | 19488 | 4947 | 25% |
3 | Total No of Anganwadi Centers/ Children’s Home visited | 210 | 30 | 14% |
4 | No.of children screened | 14987 | 1875 | 13% |
5 | No. of children treated at DEIC | 940 (Referred by Mobile Health Team) | 547 (Treated at DEIC) | 58% |
*Note: Majority of Schools and Anganwadi Centres were closed during the period between April, 2021- March, 2022 due to the on-going pandemic. However, RBSK health screenings were able to be carried out during these months at few schools outside of AMC area, Orphanages/Children’s Homes and at the Covid-19 Vaccination sites (12-18 years) under Aizawl West District. Health Screenings at Schools and Anganwadi Centres were resumed normally from 5th April, 2022.
RBSK IN PICTURES: RBSK TEAM, MIZORAM
RBSK, AIZAWL WEST DISTRICT-MOBILE HEALTH SCREENING IN AWCS & SCHOOLS
DISTRICT EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER (DEIC)-AIZAWL.