Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan has said that Rashtriya Bal Sawasthya Karyakarm (RBSK) for free healthcare facilities to the children would be launched in Jammu and Kashmir from next month. He said under this scheme the children from the age group of 0-18 years would be screened through early detection of birth, deficiencies, development delays and other diseases by involving mobile medical teams at block levels.The announcement in this regard was made by the Minister in a press conference held here today.The Health Minister said that the scheme under NRHM envisages covering all children of 0-18 years of age group in rural areas, urban slums besides children enrolled in classes 1st to 12th in government and government aided schools.
The Minister said in this regard the government is making 234 medical mobile teams consisting 2 AYUSH doctors and one ANM in each team to screen the children for providing treatment against the diseases.The Health Minister said the government through district health societies is going to engage 773 AYUSH doctors and other para-medical staff under NRHM besides set up the District Early Innervation Centers (DEIC). He said these Centers would provide referral support to children detected with health conditions following on health screens.The Health Minister said that RBSK programme was earlier approved by the Centre in three pilot districts of the State viz Leh, Ganderbal and Rajouri but due to the concerted efforts and follow up of Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah the Centre has now approved the implementation of this scheme to all districts of the State. He said for the purpose the Centre has sanctioned Rs 17.54 crore to the State to implement the scheme this fiscal. He said DEICs is being established in districts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Anathnag, Ganderbal, Jammu, Udhumpur, Doda, Rajouri and Leh while as these Centers would be also established in remaining districts during next fiscal. The Health Minister said that concerned authorities have been directed to ensure all formalities for early implementation of the scheme.The Health Minister hailed the UPA Government for providing liberal financial assistance for upgradation of overall health scenario in the State. He also complimented Union Health Minister for paying his personal attention towards development of health sector in the State.
Earlier, the Health Minister reviewed the overall functioning of Health Services , Kashmir at a high level meeting, where Director Health Services, Kashmir, Mission Director , NRHM, Director ISM, Director Family Welfare, Drugs and Food Controller, Director Finance, Deputy Directors of Various wings, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintends besides senior officers of JKPCC, R&B attended the meeting.The meeting was told that construction work of 39 major hospital projects was taken up at the total cost of Rs 847 cores in Kashmir pision against which Rs 336 crore have been expended on these projects till September this year and construction work of 15 hospital projects have been completed so far. The Health Minister directed the concerned executing agencies to gear up services of men and machinery for ensuring time bound completion of all the on-going projects for early succour of the people. He also instructed the concerned authorities for proper monitoring of several health welfare schemes for full benefits of the people especially living in remote and hilly areas.