National Child Health Programme saves the life of a one year old child in Rajkot

“My one-year-old son Gian was detected of having a hole in his heart after a school health check-up. Entire family was saddened to hear about his illness. What will we do now? How are we going to manage?” says Karanbhai Vaghela, Father of Gian. Many such questions started to arise in their mind.

Kudos to the health team and the welfare scheme of the state government which took care of the health of their child. Even the doctors were very cooperative and filled the treatment reference card post which his heart was operated at UN Mehta Hospital, Ahmedabad. The cloud of worry lifted from the family and today their son is perfectly healthy. “I sincerely thank the health team and the Gujarat government,” says Vaghela who is grateful for the government’s efforts.

Talking in detail about child Gian’s heart related ailment, Vaghela informs “My son used to fall ill frequently.” Even if he played a little, his body would turn brown. During the school health check-up in the Anganwadi of Madhapar Prithviraj Park, he was found to having a critical congenital heart disease and a hole in the heart after checking it through various tests at the Rajkot hospital. The health workers took a quick decision and referred them to visit UN Mehta Hospital at Ahmedabad for further investigation and treatment. Gian underwent a free operation under the National Child Health Programme from there.

To ensure Gians’ well- being, Dr. Jayesh Vankani, Health Officer, Dr. Hardik Meta, Deputy Health Officer, Lalit Wanza, RCHO Dr. Virendra Singh Jadeja, Team RBSK and Dr. Siddhi Gondhia provided constant guidance and support to the child’s parents. Thus, the government’s “National Child Health Programme” is providing health-related security many children like Gian and is becoming a strong support for middle-class families.

About the National Child Health Programme

Every year, an estimated 26 million children are born in India. According to the 2011 Census, children (0-6 years) account for 13% of the total population in the country. The National Health Mission’s (NHM) child health programme includes activities that promote child survival and address factors that contribute to infant and under-five mortality. Child survival cannot be handled in isolation since it is closely tied to the mother’s health, which is further impacted by her health.

As a result, the national programme employs the concept of Continuum of Care, which emphasises care during important life stages in order to promote child survival. Another aspect of this programme is to guarantee that important services are provided at home, through community outreach, and through several levels of health care institutions (primary, first referral units, and tertiary health care facilities). Reproductive, maternity, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) are now the two core pillars of the 2013 strategic approach.