Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram — Child Health Screening

What is Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)?

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is a Government of India programme under the National Health Mission (NHM) that provides free health screening and treatment to all children aged 0 to 18 years. The programme screens for 30+ conditions across 4 categories (called 4Ds):

1. Defects at birth (congenital heart defects, cleft lip/palate, club foot, etc.)
2. Deficiencies (anaemia, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies)
3. Diseases (skin conditions, rheumatic heart disease, dental caries)
4. Developmental delays and disabilities (hearing, vision, learning disabilities, autism)

Treatment — including surgery — is completely free at District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) and government hospitals.

Key Benefits

Conditions Screened Under RBSK

Who is Eligible?

All children between 0–18 years living in India are eligible for RBSK screening and treatment. Priority groups:

• Children attending government schools (Classes 1–12)
• Children in Anganwadi centres (age 0–6)
• Newborns at government hospitals and home births in rural areas

There is no income limit, no registration, no BPL card required. Any child can be screened.

How RBSK Works

You do NOT need to apply separately. RBSK comes to your child:

For children in Anganwadi (0–6 years)

• Mobile Health Teams (MHTs) — two-member teams (AYUSH doctor + pharmacist) visit each Anganwadi regularly
• They screen children and refer those with conditions to the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC)

For children in government schools (6–18 years)

• MHTs visit government schools twice a year
• Screen all enrolled students
• Refer identified cases to DEIC for further diagnosis and treatment

For newborns

• Newborns at government hospitals are screened for common birth defects before discharge
• ASHA workers follow up on home births

What Happens at DEIC (District Early Intervention Centre)

If your child is referred to the DEIC:

1. DEIC team does detailed diagnostic assessment
2. For minor issues (glasses, hearing aids) — provided free at DEIC
3. For surgeries (heart, cleft palate, club foot) — referral to tertiary government hospital, all costs covered by NHM

DEIC services include:

• Ophthalmology (eye glasses, squint treatment)
• Audiology (hearing aids, testing)
• Neurology, Physiotherapy, Speech therapy
• Dental treatment
• Surgical referrals

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child goes to a private school. Can he be screened under RBSK?

RBSK teams primarily screen children in government schools and Anganwadis. If your child is in a private school, visit your nearest DEIC or government hospital and request an RBSK evaluation — they will screen and refer if needed.

2. The RBSK team said my child has a heart defect. What happens next?

The DEIC will arrange a referral to the nearest government medical college or cardiac centre for echocardiogram and specialist consultation. Surgery if needed is funded by NHM. You do not pay anything.

3. My child was screened but no report was given. How do I know the result?

Ask the school's RBSK coordinator (usually the health teacher or headmaster) for the screening report. If your child was referred to DEIC, you'll receive a referral slip.

4. My daughter has a cleft lip. Can RBSK cover surgery?

Yes. Cleft lip and palate surgery is one of the most common surgeries funded under RBSK. Contact your nearest DEIC with medical records — they will arrange surgery at a government facility free of cost.

5. My child is 15 and dropped out of school. Is he still eligible for RBSK?

Age 0–18 is the eligibility criterion — not school enrollment. Visit the DEIC directly with your child for free screening and treatment.

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