Uttarakhand government is running Bal Swasthya Karyakram in the state under the National Health Mission to give free health screening and free treatment to children from birth up to 18 years of age. This is basically the state-level rollout of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), which covers around 32 common child health conditions across the four Ds - Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies and Developmental delays including disability.
Under this scheme, dedicated Mobile Health Teams visit Anganwadi centres and government/government-aided schools in every district of Uttarakhand to check children on the spot. If any problem is found, the child is referred to a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) or district hospital where treatment, including surgeries at big tertiary hospitals, is given fully free. Parents do not have to pay anything for screening, follow-up, medicines or surgery under this scheme.
Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand 2026 Details
Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand is run by the State Health Department along with National Health Mission (NHM) Uttarakhand and the Department of Women Empowerment & Child Development. The main aim is early detection and early intervention so that health problems in children can be caught in time, before they become serious or permanent.
Every district has one or more Mobile Health Teams, called RBSK teams. Each team usually has two doctors (one male and one female, MBBS/BDS/AYUSH), one ANM or staff nurse and one pharmacist. These teams follow a fixed monthly plan and visit Anganwadi centres and government schools to screen children. Children living in tough-to-reach hilly and border areas of Uttarakhand are also covered through the same plan.
Once a child is screened and a condition is found, that child is referred to the nearest District Early Intervention Centre. DEIC teams at the district hospital have a paediatrician, medical officer, staff nurses, physiotherapist, audiologist, speech therapist, psychologist and social worker who give follow-up care. If bigger treatment is needed, the child is sent to a tertiary hospital and the full cost is covered.
Highlights of Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bal Swasthya Karyakram (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram - RBSK) |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Run By | National Health Mission Uttarakhand, State Health Department |
| Beneficiaries | Children from birth to 18 years of age |
| Benefit | Free health screening, treatment and surgery for 32 conditions (4 Ds) |
| Age Group Covered | 0-6 years at Anganwadi, 6-18 years at government and government-aided schools |
| Application Mode | No form required, screening done by Mobile Health Teams on visit |
| Cost to Parents | Fully free |
| Official Website | nationalhealthmission.uk.gov.in |
What are the 4 Ds Covered Under Bal Swasthya Karyakram
The whole scheme is built around four broad problem areas in children, called the 4 Ds. Mobile Health Teams and DEIC doctors screen and treat children under these four groups.
- Defects at birth - This covers things like neural tube defect, Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, talipes (club foot), developmental dysplasia of the hip, congenital cataract, congenital deafness, congenital heart diseases and retinopathy of prematurity.
- Deficiencies - Anaemia especially severe anaemia, Vitamin A deficiency (Bitot spots), Vitamin D deficiency (rickets), severe acute malnutrition and goitre are checked and treated.
- Diseases in childhood - Skin conditions, otitis media (ear discharge), rheumatic heart disease, reactive airway disease (asthma), dental caries and convulsive disorders are picked up and treated free.
The fourth D is Developmental delays including disability. Under this, children are checked for vision impairment, hearing impairment, neuro-motor impairment, motor delay, cognitive delay, language delay, behaviour disorder (autism), learning disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Who Can Get Benefit Under Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand
The scheme is open for all children who are residents of Uttarakhand and fall in the age group of birth to 18 years. There is no income limit and no caste condition. Below is a short list of who is covered.
- Newborn babies (0 to 6 weeks) - Screened at delivery point (government hospital, CHC, PHC) and at home during ASHA visits for defects at birth.
- Children 6 weeks to 6 years - Screened at Anganwadi centres by RBSK Mobile Health Teams at least twice a year.
- Children 6 to 18 years - Screened at government and government-aided schools at least once a year by the Mobile Health Team.
Children studying in private schools are not part of the routine school screening, but if any such child needs help, they can be taken to the nearest District Early Intervention Centre or district hospital for guidance.
Benefits Given Under Bal Swasthya Karyakram
The biggest benefit is that parents do not have to spend money on their child's treatment for any of the 32 listed conditions. All checks, tests, medicines, follow-up visits and surgeries linked to these conditions are done free by the government.
Along with free treatment, families also get transport support and referral help. When a child needs to travel from a district hospital to a bigger tertiary hospital in Dehradun, Haldwani or outside the state for surgery, the transport is arranged by NHM Uttarakhand. Post-surgery follow-up care and rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy or speech therapy, is also given free at the DEIC.
Special support is given for congenital heart diseases in children, where the surgery cost can run into lakhs of rupees. Under RBSK, the state government ties up with empanelled tertiary hospitals so that the child gets full treatment without the family paying from their pocket.
Screening Process Under Bal Swasthya Karyakram
Screening is done in a very simple way so that no child gets left out. Parents do not have to fill any form or stand in any queue. Below is how it works step by step.
STEP 1 - Mobile Health Team of the block prepares a monthly plan and shares it with the ANM, ASHA, Anganwadi worker and school headmaster of the visit area.
STEP 2 - On the visit day, the team reaches the Anganwadi centre or government school and screens all children present using standard checklists for the 4 Ds.
STEP 3 - Basic details of each child, including height, weight, vision, hearing, teeth, skin and any special sign, are entered in the RBSK register and the online portal.
STEP 4 - Children who are found normal are marked healthy. Children found with any suspected condition are given a referral card and their parents are told to visit the District Early Intervention Centre or district hospital.
STEP 5 - At the DEIC, further tests are done and the treatment plan is made. If surgery is needed, the child is referred to a tertiary hospital and the whole treatment is arranged free through NHM Uttarakhand.
Documents Required
Since screening is done on the spot at Anganwadi or school, no document is needed at the screening stage. But when the child is referred to DEIC or a bigger hospital, parents should carry a few basic documents.
- Aadhaar card of the child - Any government ID of the child, Aadhaar is best.
- Aadhaar card of parent - ID proof of mother or father who brings the child.
- Referral slip from RBSK team - Given by the Mobile Health Team after screening.
Along with these, parents should carry the child's birth certificate, immunisation card (if newborn), Anganwadi ID or school ID card, and any past medical papers or prescriptions if the child has already been under treatment. These help the DEIC doctor to plan the correct treatment.
How to Contact RBSK Team in Uttarakhand
If a parent feels that their child has some problem covered under RBSK and wants a check-up, they do not have to wait for the next visit day. They can directly go to the nearest CHC, district hospital or DEIC and ask for RBSK support. The Anganwadi worker or ASHA of the area also helps in connecting families with the Mobile Health Team.
For the latest information on RBSK screening plans, DEIC locations and referral hospitals in Uttarakhand, families can check the official NHM Uttarakhand website at nationalhealthmission.uk.gov.in. The national RBSK portal at rbsk.mohfw.gov.in also gives details of the scheme, list of conditions covered and screening formats.
FAQ's
What is Bal Swasthya Karyakram in Uttarakhand?
It is the Uttarakhand state rollout of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under National Health Mission. It gives free health screening and free treatment to children from 0 to 18 years for 32 common conditions grouped under 4 Ds - Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies and Developmental delays.
Who is eligible for Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand?
All children from birth to 18 years living in Uttarakhand can get benefit. Children 0-6 years are screened at Anganwadi centres and children 6-18 years are screened at government and government-aided schools. There is no income limit.
Do parents have to pay for treatment under RBSK?
No. Screening, tests, medicines, follow-up care and surgeries for the listed 32 conditions are given fully free under the scheme. Even tertiary-level surgeries like congenital heart surgery are covered.
How can I get my child screened under Bal Swasthya Karyakram?
Parents can visit the nearest Anganwadi centre, government school or district hospital and ask the ANM, ASHA or Anganwadi worker about the RBSK Mobile Health Team visit schedule. Direct walk-in is also possible at the District Early Intervention Centre in the district hospital.
What is a DEIC under Bal Swasthya Karyakram?
DEIC means District Early Intervention Centre. It is set up at the district hospital and has a paediatrician, medical officer, staff nurses, physiotherapist, audiologist, speech therapist and psychologist who give follow-up treatment to children referred by RBSK Mobile Health Teams.
Is Bal Swasthya Karyakram Uttarakhand still running in 2026?
Yes, the scheme is running as a regular child health programme under NHM Uttarakhand. Mobile Health Teams keep visiting Anganwadi centres and government schools across all districts of the state as per their monthly plan.
What is the official website of RBSK?
The state-level information for Uttarakhand is on nationalhealthmission.uk.gov.in and the national portal is rbsk.mohfw.gov.in. Both give the list of conditions covered, screening formats and contact details.