Rastriya Baal Swastha Karyakram (RBSK) under the NHM with the aim to identify and intervene early for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 D’s i.e. Defects at birth, Deficiency, Diseases, Developmental delays including disability.
A humble house in an obscure village was filled up with joy and celebration after birth of a baby. Despite the harshness of poverty, the parents found a reason to smile after looking at the face of the baby. Apon Jamatia, the father of the baby boy named him as Joseph Jamatia.
Joseph was born in Khupilong – a remote Janajati dominated village under Gomati District in Tripura. Overtime, as he grew up, his parents noticed Joseph had a vision difficulty – however, they were clueless as to what to do.
Apon Jamatia is not the lone father who is oblivious to their children’s health – even if they notice some physical deformity, they – most of the time – have too little means and opportunities to address the problems and hapless children continue to suffer.
To save the future of the nation – the children- the Central Government came up with Rastriya Baal Swastha Karyakram (RBSK) under the NHM with the aim to identify and intervene early for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 D’s i.e. Defects at birth, Deficiency, Diseases, Developmental delays including disability. The Karyakram was launched in Tripura on 2014 and Mobile Health Teams (MHTs) comprising Health personnel were formed across the State to screen and monitor children’s health conditions. The teams visited Anganwadi Centres and Schools under respective blocks.
As part of their routine visit, the MHT of RBSK of Gomati District Hospital visited the school – Garia Academy (Model) School – on July 2022. The team comprised of MOs of RBSK – Dr. Puja Debnath and Dr Arunabha Debnath – and pharmacists of RBSK, Prasenjit Nama.
The team is covering all the Anganwadi centres and Schools under Tepania and Killa Block under Gomati district in Tripura.
During the screening of the students on July 23 March, 2022, the team noticed and confirmed that Joseph Jamatia was suffering from congenital cataract.
While screening and identification of the congenital diseases are being done free of cost – the intervention, i.e. necessary treatment is also being done free of cost – irrespective of the expenditure of the treatment.
After identification, Joseph was admitted for surgery at AGMC & GBP Hospital, Agartala on July 2 last and surgery was successfully conducted on the next day.
According to Dr Puja Debnath, the boy is doing well.