Centres for early detection of deformities in government hospital

These centres, to be set up under the Union government’s Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram (RBSK) scheme, would help detect the four dreaded Ds – defects at birth, deficiency, disease and developmental delay.

Pointing out that screening was done right from new born to adolescent children, Dr A T Arasar Seeralar, the director of the Institute of Child Health and Children’s Hospital (ICH), Egmore, said: “Screening is done for hearing assessment, to check whether their auditory system is normal or not. Besides that, screening of the eyes is also done. It is important to do ensure that whatever defect is seen is restored.”

The programme is also being carried out at the Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, while authorities said it would be introduced soon at the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. “Screening babies is very important, as a delay can result in the organ not developing at all. Doctors are trained to look at other major malformations as well, including spine and throat, and treatment is administered immediately,” said a doctor at Kilpauk Medical College.  

Besides the DEIC centres that are being introduced at the hospitals, there would be mobile teams that would visit Anganwadis to screen children who were not monitored at the centres. 

“All the children are subject to routine examination to check whether they have had any deformities or disabilities during their growth. They are screened for congenital heart diseases as well, an issue that does not reveal itself during the new born period. The mobile teams have an advanced school programme and visit the school students at intervals to look at their growth development, nutrition and the like. Along with that, they will screen them for any defects and if there is any development delay, it will be picked up,” added Dr Arasar.