Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram

Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Overview

Why in the News?

Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda to Launch Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) at 16th CCHFW Conferenc

In a significant step towards strengthening newborn and child health services in the country, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare will launch the Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK).
It will launch during the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW).

The launch will mark a major milestone in advancing the Government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive, accessible and quality healthcare for every child.
Providing a seamless continuum of home and community-based care from birth to 36 months of age.
SSBSK will carry forward the vision of “Comprehensive care for the first three years”.
It recognises the critical importance of the first three years of life for child survival, growth, nutrition and early brain development.

SSBSK will be a unified national programme that will consolidate the two flagship community-based initiatives into a single comprehensive framework
- Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC)
- Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) .
By integrating these programmes, SSBSK will ensure continuity of care from birth through the first three years of life, strengthening child survival, nutrition, healthy growth and early childhood development through an integrated approach.

Children at Risk

For the first time, the programme will introduce a risk-stratified approach for newborns and children identified as ‘At-risk’.
These children will receive intensified follow-up through additional home visits based on their level of risk.
Under the programme, ‘At-risk’ newborns will receive up to nine home visits during the first 42 days, while ‘At-risk’ children will receive up to eight home visits up to 36 months of age.
The programme will further strengthen continuity of care through joint home visits by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Community Health Officers (CHOs) and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs).
It will also introduce Well-Baby Sessions at every Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) and a monthly Shishu Shivir at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for early identification, assessment and management of ‘At-risk’ children.

Implementation of Digital Technologies

The programme will leverage digital technologies through Decision-Support Systems (DSS), child tracking applications, referral loops and alert mechanisms to strengthen monitoring and continuity of care.
These digital systems will be aligned with the JANANI Portal, U-WIN Portal, MPCDSR Portal, RBSK 2.0 Portal and POSHAN Tracker, enabling seamless data exchange and service continuity through ABHA and Baal-ABHA IDs.
It will also address home-based care in urban settings through tailored strategies for slum, migrant and underserved populations.3
The guidelines will also address emerging challenges of the digital era by promoting age-appropriate play, physical activity and mental stimulation during the first three years of life
At the same time, recognising the adverse impact of excessive screen time and reduced physical interaction on brain development, emotional health and social skills.

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