Sonia launches national health care programme for children

Scheme to privide comprehensive health care benefits to over 27 crore children

Congress president and National Advisory Council (NAC) chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday launched UPA's yet another flagship programme, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in the tribal dominated Palghar taluka of Thane district in Maharashtra.

The scheme aims to provide comprehensive health care benefits to over 27 crore children across India.

In her speech Sonia explained the Congress led UPA government's initiatives to curb malnutrition, reduce infant mortality rate, provide education and also empower women. She did not forget to mention the recent ordinance on anti rape law which proposes capital punishment to rapists.

Sonia termed the RBSK as ‘a significant step towards controlling malnutrition’ among children. "Nearly 40% of children in the country continue to be malnourished, a matter of grave concern. I am confident that the RBSK will prove to be successful in controlling the problem,’ she said.

Sonia, who is also the chairperson of the UPA, said that over 12 crore children get fresh, good food under the mid-day meal scheme in government schools. She said there would be no fund constraint for schemes aimed at the development of the backward regions of the country, and listed several schemes for the benefit of the undeveloped parts of the country.

Sonia said the Centre has already provided a total of Rs 90,000 crore to states under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which aims to improve the conditions of people especially children and women residing in remote and backward areas of the country.  

She informed that  just a few years ago, over 2,00,000 children fell victims to polio each year. "Now, India is polio-free, a major achievement for the country,’ Gandhi said, adding that the Right To Education would ensure that no child was denied basic education. She said the Food Security Bill would contribute towards reducing malnutrition among children," Sonia added.