Bihar Kishori Swasthya Karyakram — Girl Nutrition

What is Bihar Kishori Swasthya Karyakram?

Bihar Kishori Swasthya Karyakram (Adolescent Girls Health Programme) is a Bihar state initiative under the Women and Child Development Department / ICDS that provides nutrition support, health services, and life skills education to adolescent girls aged 11–18 years across Bihar.

It operates through anganwadi centres and government schools and addresses iron deficiency anaemia, malnutrition, and low awareness of adolescent health in Bihar's girl child population.

Key Benefits

Who Benefits?

All adolescent girls aged 11–18 in Bihar, particularly:

• Girls enrolled in government/aided schools
• Out-of-school girls registered at anganwadi centres
• Girls from SC/ST/OBC and BPL families (priority)

No income criteria — every adolescent girl in Bihar can access health services at the anganwadi.

How the Programme Works

At Anganwadi Centre:

• Anganwadi Worker (AWW) registers girls in the 11–18 age group
• Weekly IFA tablets distributed every Monday
• Deworming administered in February and August each year
• Monthly group meetings on nutrition, hygiene, menstrual health

At School (NHM coordination):

• Weekly IFA distributed through teachers on fixed days
• Anaemia testing via rapid diagnostic kit (in select districts)

Documents Needed for Registration

To register a girl at the anganwadi:

1. Age proof — birth certificate / Aadhaar / school ID
2. Aadhaar card (girl's)
3. Residence confirmation (ration card / voter ID of parent)

Registration is free and done at the local anganwadi centre.

Anaemia — A Serious Problem in Bihar

Bihar has one of the highest adolescent anaemia rates in India. The programme specifically aims to:

• Bring Haemoglobin levels above 12 g/dL for girls
• Reduce school dropout due to weakness and health issues
• Improve awareness about menstrual hygiene (provides sanitary napkins at select centres)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My daughter is 13 and out of school. Can she still get IFA tablets?

Yes. Out-of-school girls are the primary focus. She should be registered at the nearest Anganwadi Centre — the AWW will include her in the programme and provide weekly tablets.

2. Are sanitary napkins also provided?

Under the Kishori scheme and SABLA (Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls), sanitary napkins are provided in select blocks. Check with your local anganwadi.

3. What is the Hb level check, and why does it matter?

Hb (haemoglobin) level check measures iron in blood. Below 12 g/dL means anaemia. Anganwadi workers use rapid test kits. If severely anaemic, the girl is referred to PHC for treatment and iron injections.

4. My daughter takes the IFA tablet but it causes nausea. What should she do?

IFA tablets are best taken after food — not on empty stomach. If nausea continues, speak to the ASHA or anganwadi worker. Sometimes a liquid syrup form is available for sensitive cases.

5. Which other nutrition programmes does Bihar run for girls?

POSHAN Abhiyan (national nutrition mission) runs in Bihar through ICDS. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana helps pregnant women. Mid-Day Meal / PM POSHAN helps school-age girls through school meals.

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