Centre strengthens child health screening with digital tracking under RBSK 2.0

New Delhi: The Centre has expanded the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 to cover 38 common childhood health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, mental health disorders and behavioural concerns, as part of efforts to address emerging health challenges among children.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said the revised operational guidelines of RBSK 2.0 broaden the programme’s scope beyond traditional childhood illnesses to include non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions.

To strengthen implementation, the existing Mobile Health Teams (MHTs) have been reinforced with additional personnel from other programmes under the National Health Mission (NHM). These teams will continue screening children in schools and Anganwadi centres.

The government said RBSK 2.0 adopts a preventive, promotive and curative continuum of care, supported by a digital platform for tracking, follow-up and monitoring children identified with health conditions.

To promote healthier lifestyles and improve awareness among children and parents, the Ministry has developed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including health booklets, posters and educational videos. These resources have been shared with States and Union Territories for dissemination through schools and community-based programmes.

The Centre said the expanded programme aims to facilitate early detection, timely intervention and improved management of childhood health conditions while encouraging healthy lifestyle practices from an early age.