Chhattisgarh’s Child Health Programme (Chirayu) is proving to be a lifesaver for children suffering from health problems since birth.
The aim of the scheme is to examine and cure four types of health problems in children like defects at birth, disability, developmental delay and deficiency.
An official communiqué on Tuesday said children till 18 years and studying in Anganwadis or government and government-aided schools can benefit from the scheme.
A target has been set to conduct preliminary health check-up of all children enrolled in Anganwadis twice a year and of children studying in all government schools once a year.
The scheme has proved to be a boon for 874 children in Mahasamund district including 126 cases of cleft lip and palate, 195 of club foot, 82 of congenital cataract, 21 of neural tube defect and 450 cases of congenital heart disease.
Nine mobile healthcare teams are operating in the district to identify the children. Two doctors, one pharmacist, one lab technician and one auxiliary nurse and midwife (ANM) are posted in each team.