Supporting Child Health through RBSK Camps: A Step Forward for Children Living with HIV

Ensuring early detection and intervention for children living with HIV is crucial for improving health outcomes. In partnership with the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), USAID-supported Program ACCELERATE has made significant strides by organizing health camps. These camps, held regularly at government or government-aided schools and Anganwadi centers, have proven effective in reducing out-of-pocket expenditures through early diagnosis and prompt referrals to higher facilities for further treatment.

Under the National Health Mission, the RBSK aims to screen and manage 30 selected health conditions in children, with a focus on early detection and free treatment. Children and adolescents are screened for the 4Ds: Defects at Birth, Childhood Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental Delays & Disabilities.

To further strengthen collaboration between the MAHARASHTRA STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY (MSACS) and the RBSK program for children and adolescents living with HIV, Program ACCELERATE partnered with Civil Surgeons from Thane and Pune. This collaboration allowed MSACS to share Antiretroviral Therapy Center (ARTC)-wise details of children with district RBSK program supervisors and organize special camps every six months at the ARTC level, rather than at schools or Anganwadi centers. This approach helps RBSK medical officers better understand ongoing ART medication and the adherence of children, in coordination with ARTC medical officers and counselors.

A letter was issued, thanks to the efforts of the ACCELERATE's Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) component staff, who coordinated with the RBSK program supervisors and program assistants of the Thane and Pune districts. This was also discussed during the monthly District AIDS Protection and Control Unit (DAPCU) meeting.

During eight RBSK camps recently held in Thane and Pune, 267 children were screened. Sixteen children were referred to higher facilities for further care, while others received essential supplements like calcium, multivitamins, and iron tablets. Program ACCELERATE staff continue to follow up with all screened children and provide them with need-based support.

“The RBSK camp was organized at BSRC ARTC through Project ACCELERATE. The doctor screened my 3-year-old granddaughter and referred her to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) at Aundh for further treatment. Sunita Tai (ACCELERATE Child Care Facilitator) visited my home and accompanied us for coordination with the NRC doctor and the initiation of treatment.” — Caregiver

"I (Krishna) attended the RBSK camp arranged by Project ACCELERATE at Mira Road ARTC. During the camp, the doctor referred me to a higher facility for seizures and an ear infection. I am now regularly taking medicine to prevent seizures, and I no longer have any ear infections." — 16-year-old child

During the camp, ACCELERATE staff conducted growth monitoring for the children and organized sessions for caregivers. They also provided refreshments to both children and caregivers who attended.