District Completes Health Card Distribution for Children

The Visakhapatnam district administration has completed distributing health cards to children under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a programme that identifies health issues through regular screening.

Officials said examinations were conducted in two phases and covered 226,799 children across Anganwadi centres, government schools, and colleges. This includes 90,152 children aged six months to five years, 62,569 students in classes 1 to 5, and 74,230 students in classes 6 to 10. This academic year, 46,000 children received new cards, taking the total coverage to almost 2.27 lakh.

Screening takes place twice a year. During the first round, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and Mid-Level Health Providers assess the children. Those found with health concerns are referred to Primary Health Centres for further tests and treatment. Children who need specialised care are sent to the District Early Intervention Centre or teaching hospitals. All treatment, including surgeries when required, is fully funded by the government. Health officials track each case until recovery. Common conditions detected include cerebral palsy, hearing loss and speech impairment.

The health card, titled Complete Health Protection for Children, records details such as height, weight and seven other indicators, along with basic personal information. Officials said the cards help detect diseases, developmental delays and nutritional deficiencies early.

RBSK coordinator Dr. B. Harika stressed the need for parental awareness, noting that outcomes worsen when health issues are noticed late. She said screening plays a vital role in early detection and timely care.