STATE : The government has initiated a program to provide free medical services to children born with congenital physical anomalies and diseases, aiming to ensure they can lead normal lives through improved healthcare. This significant announcement was made today by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha at the Agartala Government Nursing College auditorium, during the inauguration of a state-wide heart disease detection camp organized by the National Health Mission Tripura Branch in collaboration with Apollo Children’s Hospital.

In his speech, the Chief Minister highlighted that the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, launched in 2014, focuses on the early detection of children suffering from congenital physical anomalies, internal defects, developmental defects, and physical disabilities. He noted that the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram program operates with 48 dedicated mobile health teams across the state, screening children from birth to six years old at Anganwadi centres and those aged six to eighteen in schools.

The dedicated mobile health team in Tripura provides primary care and, if necessary, surgical intervention for children born with various birth defects, such as congenital heart disease, hearing impairment, clubfoot, visual impairment, and neural tube defects. The state currently has three Early Intervention Centers located in Gomti, Dhalai and Unkoti districts, with plans to establish additional centers in West Tripura district.

Additional speakers at the event included Additional Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Bramhit Kaur, Director of Health Department Dr Sanjib Debbarma, Director of Medical Education Dr HP Sharma, and Pediatric Cardiologist of Apollo Children’s Hospital CS Muthukumaran. Rajeev Dutta, Director of the National Health Mission Tripura Branch, delivered the welcome speech, and Apollo Hospital CEO V Nabin was also present.

During the event, six beneficiaries of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya shared their experiences, and an informative documentary film was screened to provide further insight into the program’s impact.