Utilisation and awareness of ‘balsanjeevini’ health scheme amongst mothers in four primary health centres of belagavi taluka

Background: “Balsanjeevini Scheme” (BS), is implemented by Women & Child Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka. The main objective of the ‘BS’ is to reduce mortality and morbidity among Children of 0 to 6 years of age belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). The ‘BS’ provides upto 50,000/- to the sick neonates and Rs. 35,000/- to the children from 1 month to 6 years who are admitted to the recognised Net Work Hospitals (NWHs).

Methods:The study was conducted in four select Primary Health Centres (PHCs) of Belagavi Taluka, Karnataka to explore utilisation of ‘BS’.Health Check camps were conducted for needy ICDS children by Department of Paediatrics of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi. Pre designed, pre-tested questionnaire were administered to collect information on the house hold socio-economic and demographic data, literacy, disease the child is suffering from, occupation of mother & father, habits, supply of drinking water were recorded. Also information on utilization and awareness of ‘BS’ was recorded.

Results: Out of 319 children examined in health camps, 110 eligible children were referred for higher investigations/admission to recognised NWH i.e., KLE Dr.Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital, Belagavi. 46 (42%) parents admitted their children to NWH and utilized the treatment under the ‘BS’. However, 64 (58%) parents did not utilise the facilities of the ‘BS’.

Conclusion: Uptake of the ‘BS’ among eligible children was low (58%). Community level awareness programs are needed to improve utilization among its beneficiaries.