Doon admin launches drive to identify children with congenital illnesses

Dehradun: The Dehradun district administration has launched a drive to identify children suffering from serious and congenital illnesses whose families cannot afford treatment, with free care to be provided under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).District magistrate Ashish Chauhan said 12 such children below the age of six have already been identified. Officials said the district programme officer (child development department) will launch a special campaign to identify children up to six years of age, while the chief education officer, Dehradun, will oversee a similar exercise for children and adolescents aged between six and 18 years.“No child in the district should be deprived of treatment solely due to financial constraints.

RBSK already covers certain prescribed illnesses, and any child suffering from a chronic or congenital disease will be provided treatment,” Chauhan told TOI.Officials added that for serious illnesses that cannot be treated under RBSK, other available financial resources and the ‘Rifle Fund’ would be utilised to ensure better healthcare facilities for affected children.Authorities have directed officials to expedite the identification process through detailed surveys conducted via schools, anganwadi centres and field-level staff.

“The administration is committed to ensuring that medical treatment reaches every needy child and that no child’s life is adversely affected due to financial constraints,” the DM said.The administration has also urged the public to report children suffering from serious or congenital illnesses — whose families are unable to afford treatment — to the nearest anganwadi centre, school, health centre or concerned department so that timely medical assistance can be provided.