Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 14: The State’s Health Department today launched a scheme, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), to provide free treatment to children upto 18 years in rural areas, urban slums and school children upto Class 12.
Involving a cost of Rs 1,754.63 lakh from the State Budget, the scheme will cover nine district in its first phase (2013-14) which include Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Jammu, Udhampur, Doda, Rajouri and Leh.
Minister for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan, while launching the scheme here, said the new-born, both at home and public-health facilities, pre-schooling children up to 6 years from Anganwadi centres and school going children and adolescents from 6-18 years old studying in Government and Government aided schools will be the targeted beneficiaries of the scheme.
The scheme is a part of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to treat any kind of disease, deficiency and disability in children and provide free treatment to them, the Minister said.
“The scheme includes child health screening and early intervention, assuring a package of health services for all children up to 18 years of age. Children will be checked for defects at birth, diseases and deficiencies,” Khan said.
He said two medical teams would be formed at Block level, and each block will be provided an ambulance to cater to the needs of people. “I have directed all the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to complete the formalities for the scheme as the State has received the funds from the Central Government and it will start soon in the State,” Khan said.
Khan also added that scheme will benefit a large number of unemployed doctors and other paramedics.
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