BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th May 2024: In a significant move to bolster child health care, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram initiated in 2014 continues to make strides in identifying and treating congenital physical anomalies in children across the state. The program with its fleet of 48 mobile health teams has been pivotal in screening children from birth up to 6 years at Anganwadi Kendras and those aged 6 to 18 at government and government-aided schools.
During a press conference held at Secretariat on Thursday, the State Director of National Health Mission (NHM) Rajiv Datta highlighted the program’s achievements. “Our dedicated teams have been working tirelessly to ensure that every child with a congenital condition receives the care they need. We have partnered with esteemed medical institutions to provide free services for various conditions,” Datta stated.
Children suffering from congenital heart disease have access to complimentary medical services at renowned facilities such as AGMC and GBP Hospitals, Apollo Children’s Hospital in Chennai, Medica Super Specialty Hospital in Kolkata, and Shija Hospital and Research Center in Manipur. Furthermore, Guwahati Mission Smile Hospital extends its services to treat children with cleft lip and palate at no cost.
Dutta also announced that ILS Hospital in Agartala is the go-to center for children requiring hearing aids, while the Anushka Foundation in Mumbai offers treatment for clubfoot. “Since the inception of the State Child Health Program, we have seen over 900 cases of cleft lip and palate, 600 cases of congenital heart disease, and numerous other conditions successfully treated and, when necessary, operated upon. These children are now leading healthy lives,” Datta added.
The press conference was attended by Joint State Director of National Health Mission Binoy Bhushan Das and Director of Health Services Dr Sanjib Debbarma, who both echoed the program’s commitment to child health. To date, the program has distributed 800 hearing aids free of charge and continues to be a beacon of hope for families affected by congenital conditions.
