Question : RASHTRIYA BAL SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM

(a) whether the Government has recently launched a new child health screening and early intervention service viz. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the programme along with the funds allocated /released for the purpose, State/UT-wise;

(c) the steps taken by the Government for regular monitoring of the scheme through social audit in order to ascertain its efficacy including the goals;

(d) whether the Government also proposes to set up high-end labs in the Central Government controlled hospitals/health centres for early detection of genetic disorders and other diseases through prenatal diagnosis; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds released by the Government for the purpose during each of the last three years and current year, State/UT-wise?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 259 FOR 7TH FEBRUARY, 2014

(a)to(c): Yes. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was launched in February, 2013 under National Rural Health Mission. This initiative aims to screen and manage children from birth to 18 years of age for Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases and Developmental delays including disabilities. Around 27 crore children would be covered in a phased manner. Under this initiative, all newborns delivered at public health facilities and home are screened for birth defects by health personnel and ASHA. The children in the age group of six weeks to six years attending Anganwadi centres and children in the age group of 6 years to 18 years enrolled in government and government aided schools are screened by dedicated Mobile Block Health Teams consisting of two AYUSH doctors, one ANM and one pharmacist. The children identified with any health condition are then referred to an appropriate health facility for further management and linking with tertiary level institutions. The establishment of District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) is also one of the components of the RBSK initiative. State-wise budget allocated for the programme during the financial year 2013-14 is annexed. The programme is monitored through the Health Management Information System of NRHM and periodic visits to the states by central and state level teams.

(d)&(e); There is no provision under RBSK for pre-natal diagnosis for early detection of genetic disorders and other diseases.