🧠 Important for NORCET, NHM, AIIMS, RRB, GPSC, ESIC & BSc/GNM Nursing Exams
🧠 Specialized Community Health Services refer to focused healthcare programs designed to serve specific populations or health needs at the community level beyond general outpatient care.
They address targeted health issues like maternal health, occupational hazards, elderly care, mental health, school health, etc., and often work alongside primary health care and public health programs.
| 🧩 Type | 🎯 Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1. MCH Services | 👩🍼 Maternal & Child Health – Antenatal, postnatal, immunization |
| 2. Family Planning Services | 👨👩👧 Spacing, permanent methods, contraceptive supply |
| 3. School Health Services | 🏫 Screening, health education, immunization, mid-day meals |
| 4. Occupational Health Services | 🏭 Worker safety, factory inspections, prevention of occupational diseases |
| 5. Geriatric Health Services | 👵👴 Health & wellness of elderly, chronic disease management |
| 6. Adolescent Health Services | 🧑⚕️ Anemia, menstruation, mental health, substance abuse |
| 7. Mental Health Services | 🧠 Counseling, psychiatric care, suicide prevention |
| 8. Rehabilitation Services | ♿ Physio, social & vocational rehab for disabled persons |
| 9. HIV/AIDS Services (ART/NACO) | 🧪 Testing, treatment, PMTCT, stigma reduction |
| 10. Nutrition Services | 🍲 Supplementation, Poshan Abhiyaan, ICDS |
| 11. Emergency/Disaster Services | 🚨 First aid, triage, referral during floods, epidemics, accidents |
| 12. Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) | 🚐 Outreach in tribal, hilly, or remote areas |
| 13. Tribal Health Services | 🏕️ Culture-sensitive care to indigenous populations |
| 14. Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) | 🏥 NCD screening, physiotherapy, mental health, oral care |
| 15. Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) | 💬 Counseling, menstrual hygiene, SRH |
| 16. AYUSH Services | 🌿 Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy at PHC/CHC levels |
✅ Focus on vulnerable populations
✅ Provide preventive and promotive care
✅ Reduce hospital burden
✅ Promote early diagnosis and community-based management
✅ Support universal health coverage (UHC)
🔹 Screening and early identification
🔹 Community outreach and home visits
🔹 Health education and behavior change communication
🔹 Follow-up and referrals
🔹 Record keeping and reporting
🔹 Support to ASHA and Anganwadi workers
✅ Q1. Which program provides health services to workers exposed to occupational hazards?
🅰️ Occupational Health Services
✅ Q2. School Health Services include all EXCEPT —
🅰️ Surgery (Correct Answer)
✅ Q3. Services for disabled people include —
🅰️ Rehabilitation services
✅ Q4. Adolescent-friendly clinics primarily deal with —
🅰️ Sexual & reproductive health, mental health
✅ Q5. Which AYUSH systems are included in India’s specialized health services?
🅰️ Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy
🧠 Essential for NHM, NORCET, RRB, AIIMS, GPSC, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
🧠 Maternal and Child Health (MCH) refers to the health services and care provided to women during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and to infants and children up to adolescence — aimed at reducing mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition.
✔️ Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
✔️ Reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
✔️ Improve nutritional and health status of women and children
✔️ Promote safe motherhood and child survival
✔️ Provide essential immunizations and health education
| 📌 Stage | ✅ Key Services |
|---|---|
| Antenatal (ANC) | Early registration, 4 ANC check-ups, iron/folic acid, TT vaccine, dietary advice |
| Intranatal | Skilled birth attendance, clean delivery, management of complications |
| Postnatal (PNC) | Observation for 6 weeks, breastfeeding support, postnatal visits |
| 👶 Age Group | 📋 Services |
|---|---|
| Neonates (0–28 days) | Essential newborn care, thermal protection, early breastfeeding |
| Infants (0–1 year) | Immunization (BCG, DPT, Polio, Hepatitis B), growth monitoring |
| Children (1–5 years) | Vitamin A, deworming, nutrition counseling |
| School-going Children | School health check-ups, health education, mid-day meals |
| 📌 Indicator | 📈 Current Data (NFHS-5) |
|---|---|
| MMR | ~97 per 1,00,000 live births |
| IMR | ~28 per 1,000 live births |
| Institutional Deliveries | ~89% |
| Full ANC Coverage | ~58% |
| Exclusive Breastfeeding | ~64% |
| Child Immunization | ~76% fully immunized |
| 📅 Program | 🎯 Focus |
|---|---|
| RMNCH+A | Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health |
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) | Cash incentive for institutional delivery |
| Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) | Free delivery, drugs, transport for pregnant women & sick newborns |
| Mission Indradhanush | Immunization strengthening |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Malnutrition reduction |
| RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) | Screening for 4 Ds – Defects, Diseases, Deficiencies, Developmental delay |
| ICDS Scheme | Nutrition, preschool education for children <6 yrs |
👩⚕️ Antenatal and postnatal care
👶 Immunization and growth monitoring
👩🏫 Health education to mothers
📋 Record-keeping (MCP cards, immunization cards)
🩺 Early identification of danger signs in mother & child
🤝 Referral and follow-up services
🧃 Promoting nutrition and breastfeeding
✅ Q1. What is the full form of RMNCH+A?
🅰️ Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health
✅ Q2. Janani Suraksha Yojana offers cash incentives for —
🅰️ Institutional delivery
✅ Q3. At what age should a child receive the first dose of Vitamin A?
🅰️ 9 months (with measles vaccine)
✅ Q4. What is the normal period for exclusive breastfeeding?
🅰️ First 6 months
✅ Q5. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) focuses on —
🅰️ Early detection of 4 Ds in children
🧠 Important for NORCET, NHM, AIIMS, RRB, GPSC, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
🧠 RCH – Reproductive and Child Health Programme is a comprehensive health initiative launched by the Government of India under the National Health Mission (NHM) to improve the health status of women, newborns, and children through a life cycle approach.
| 🔹 Service Area | ✅ Activities |
|---|---|
| Maternal Health | Antenatal care, safe delivery, emergency obstetric care |
| Child Health | Immunization, control of ARI & diarrhea |
| Family Planning | Access to spacing & permanent contraceptive methods |
| RTI/STI Management | Syndromic management of reproductive tract infections |
| Adolescent Health (pilot) | Health education & counseling |
| Training | Training of ANMs, LHVs, and medical officers |
👉 Merged with National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
| 🛠️ Component | 🎯 Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Essential Obstetric & Newborn Care | Skilled birth attendance, 48-hour stay post-delivery |
| Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) | Availability of C-sections and blood transfusions |
| JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana) | Cash incentives for institutional delivery |
| JSSK (2011) | Free delivery, medicines, diagnostics, transport |
| Home-based Newborn Care (HBNC) | Postnatal care visits by ASHAs |
| Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH) | Education, menstrual hygiene, anemia control |
| RTI/STI Services | Dedicated clinics and syndromic management |
| RBSK (2013) | Screening of 0–18 years for 4Ds |
| Logistics Management | Ensuring supply of IFA, vaccines, contraceptives |
| 📌 Indicator | 📈 Progress (NFHS-5) |
|---|---|
| MMR | Reduced to ~97/100,000 live births |
| IMR | Reduced to ~28/1000 live births |
| Institutional Delivery | Increased to ~89% |
| Contraceptive Use | ~56% modern method usage |
| Immunization Coverage | ~76% full immunization |
✅ ANC and PNC care
✅ Immunization & HBNC visits
✅ Growth monitoring & counseling
✅ RTI/STI education and screening
✅ Maintain records (MCP card, JSY reports)
✅ Refer high-risk cases promptly
✅ Support ASHA & Anganwadi workers
✅ Q1. When was RCH Phase I launched?
🅰️ 1997
✅ Q2. Which program offers cash incentive to promote institutional delivery?
🅰️ Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
✅ Q3. RCH Phase II merged with which national initiative?
🅰️ National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
✅ Q4. Which RCH component promotes postnatal home care by ASHAs?
🅰️ Home-based Newborn Care (HBNC)
✅ Q5. What does RBSK under RCH screen for?
🅰️ 4Ds – Defects, Diseases, Deficiencies, Developmental delay
(Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child + Adolescent Health)
🧠 Vital for NORCET, NHM, RRB, GPSC, ESIC, BSc/GNM Nursing & CHN Exams
🧠 RMNCH+A is a comprehensive and integrated health strategy launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in 2013 to improve the survival and health of mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents using a “continuum of care” approach.
| 🔠 Letter | 👶👩 Represents |
|---|---|
| R | Reproductive health (family planning, RTI/STI) |
| M | Maternal health (ANC, delivery, PNC) |
| N | Newborn health (immediate care, HBNC) |
| C | Child health (immunization, nutrition, illnesses) |
| A | Adolescent health (anemia, menstrual hygiene, counseling) |
✔️ Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
✔️ Reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
✔️ Reduce Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)
✔️ Improve contraceptive usage & spacing
✔️ Enhance adolescent health awareness & services
✔️ Strengthen service delivery at all levels – from home to facility
| 📌 Indicator | 📈 Latest Status |
|---|---|
| MMR | ~97/100,000 live births |
| IMR | ~28/1000 live births |
| Institutional Deliveries | ~89% |
| Child Immunization | ~76% |
| Adolescent Anemia | ~40–50% prevalence |
| 🔗 Continuum | 📍 Focus |
|---|---|
| 1. Life Stage | From adolescence → pregnancy → childbirth → child |
| 2. Place of Care | Home → Community → Health Facility |
| 3. Level of Care | Primary → Secondary → Tertiary |
✅ ANC and PNC services
✅ Conducting deliveries and newborn care
✅ Immunization and growth monitoring
✅ Health education to mothers and adolescents
✅ Counseling on contraception
✅ Home visits (HBNC, HBCC)
✅ Record-keeping (MCP cards, RCH registers)
✅ Q1. When was RMNCH+A strategy launched?
🅰️ 2013
✅ Q2. What does ‘A’ in RMNCH+A stand for?
🅰️ Adolescent Health
✅ Q3. Which program offers Weekly IFA tablets to adolescents?
🅰️ WIFS (Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation)
✅ Q4. What type of care does HBNC offer?
🅰️ Home-based newborn care through ASHAs
✅ Q5. Which scheme ensures free care for mother and child up to 1 year?
🅰️ JSSK – Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
🧠 Important for NORCET, NHM, AIIMS, GPSC, RRB, BSc/GNM Nursing & CHN Exams
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission (NHM), launched on 12th April 2005 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women, especially in rural and underserved areas.
✔️ Promote institutional deliveries
✔️ Ensure skilled birth attendance
✔️ Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
✔️ Reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
✔️ Enhance access to maternal care services for Below Poverty Line (BPL) women
👩⚕️ Eligible women include:
JSY provides different incentive amounts based on state performance.
| 🗺️ State Type | 📍 Examples |
|---|---|
| Low-Performing States (LPS) | Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, J&K |
| High-Performing States (HPS) | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. |
| 👩⚕️ Beneficiary | 🏥 LPS – Rural | 🏙️ LPS – Urban | 🏥 HPS – Rural | 🏙️ HPS – Urban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother | ₹1400 | ₹1000 | ₹700 | ₹600 |
| ASHA Worker | ₹600 | ₹200 | ₹600* | ₹400* |
📝 *ASHA incentives are subject to performance and delivery of services.
🔹 JSSK (2011) – Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram provides completely free care to mother and child
🔹 RMNCH+A – JSY is a core part of maternal health strategy
🔹 Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) – Postnatal follow-ups by ASHA
✅ Motivate for early registration and ANC checkups
✅ Identify and track high-risk pregnancies
✅ Encourage institutional delivery
✅ Accompany mother to facility
✅ Postnatal visits and newborn care
✅ Maintain JSY records and reporting
✅ Q1. In which year was JSY launched?
🅰️ 2005
✅ Q2. Who is the key link worker in JSY implementation?
🅰️ ASHA
✅ Q3. What is the cash benefit for a rural woman in LPS under JSY?
🅰️ ₹1400
✅ Q4. JSY is part of which larger health mission?
🅰️ National Health Mission (NHM)
✅ Q5. How many live births are eligible under JSY benefits?
🅰️ Up to 2 live births
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)🧠 Essential for NORCET, NHM, AIIMS, GPSC, RRB, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
JSSK stands for Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, a scheme launched on 1st June 2011 under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
🎯 Goal:
To eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick newborns by providing free and cashless services in public health facilities.
✔️ Reduce maternal and infant mortality
✔️ Promote institutional deliveries
✔️ Improve access to quality healthcare
✔️ Provide completely free care for both mother and child
✅ All pregnant women delivering in public health facilities
✅ All sick newborns (0–30 days) including home-delivered ones
✅ Sick infants (up to 1 year) – expanded later
✅ No conditions on age, number of children, or income
| ✅ Service | 💯 Free & Cashless |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Normal & C-section delivery | Yes |
| 💊 Drugs & Consumables | Yes |
| 🧪 Diagnostics (blood, urine, USG) | Yes |
| 💉 Blood transfusion | Yes |
| 🛏️ Diet during stay | Yes (3 days for normal, 7 for C-section) |
| 🚑 Transport | Home → Facility → Home + Referrals |
| ✅ Service | 💯 Free & Cashless |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Treatment & Admission | Yes |
| 💊 Drugs & Consumables | Yes |
| 🧪 Lab investigations | Yes |
| 💉 Blood transfusion (if needed) | Yes |
| 🚑 Free transport | Facility-to-facility + discharge to home |
🏥 Services are available at PHC, CHC, District Hospitals, and Medical Colleges.
🧾 Monitoring via JSY–JSSK registers, ANM reports, and tracking through Mother-Child Protection (MCP) card.
✅ Identify and motivate eligible mothers
✅ Assist in transport arrangement
✅ Provide delivery & postnatal care
✅ Counsel about newborn danger signs
✅ Educate about availability of JSSK entitlements
✅ Maintain records and refer complicated cases
🔹 Increased institutional deliveries
🔹 Reduced financial burden on poor families
🔹 Improved neonatal and maternal outcomes
🔹 Strengthened public trust in govt. facilities
✅ Q1. In which year was JSSK launched?
🅰️ 2011
✅ Q2. Which group gets completely free transport under JSSK?
🅰️ Pregnant women & sick newborns
✅ Q3. How long is the hospital stay covered under JSSK for a C-section?
🅰️ 7 days
✅ Q4. What age group of children are eligible under JSSK?
🅰️ 0 to 1 year (initially 0–30 days)
✅ Q5. Does JSSK cover diagnostics like blood tests and USG?
🅰️ Yes – fully free
🧠 Important for NHM, NORCET, AIIMS, GPSC, RRB, ESIC & BSc/GNM Nursing Exams
🧠 Mission Indradhanush (MI) is a flagship immunization initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India on 25th December 2014 under the National Health Mission (NHM).
To achieve >90% full immunization coverage among children and pregnant women in India by targeting left-out and dropout populations.
🌈 “Indradhanush” means Rainbow, symbolizing the 7 essential vaccines included in India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
✔️ Immunize all children under 2 years & pregnant women
✔️ Focus on underserved, high-risk, and low-coverage areas
✔️ Reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases
✔️ Strengthen routine immunization systems
| 💉 Disease Prevented | 💊 Vaccine |
|---|---|
| Tuberculosis | BCG |
| Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus | DPT |
| Polio | OPV/IPV |
| Measles | Measles/MR |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B vaccine |
| Haemophilus influenzae type B | Hib (as Pentavalent) |
| Tetanus (for mothers) | TT/TD |
🆕 Also includes:
– Rotavirus
– Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
– Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in endemic areas
– COVID-19 (for special campaigns)
| 🗓️ Phase | 🔎 Key Features |
|---|---|
| Phase I (2015) | 201 districts with <50% coverage |
| Phase II (2015) | 352 more districts added |
| Phase III & IV (2016–17) | Urban slums, tribal areas |
| Intensified MI (2017) | Focus on 173 districts & 17 urban areas |
| IMI 2.0 (2019) | Focused micro-planning in 272 districts |
| IMI 3.0 (2021) | Integration with COVID-19 vaccination |
| IMI 5.0 (2023) | Tech-based tracking, real-time monitoring |
🔹 Urban slums
🔹 Remote/tribal areas
🔹 Conflict zones
🔹 Migratory population
🔹 Left-out/dropout children
✅ House-to-house surveys
✅ Tracking due and missed children
✅ Counseling parents
✅ Immunization session planning
✅ Record-keeping (MCP card, eVIN)
✅ AEFI monitoring and follow-up
✅ Q1. When was Mission Indradhanush launched?
🅰️ 25th December 2014
✅ Q2. What is the target immunization coverage under MI?
🅰️ More than 90%
✅ Q3. What does “Indradhanush” represent?
🅰️ 7 vaccines of the UIP
✅ Q4. Which mobile app/digital tool supports vaccine tracking in MI?
🅰️ eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network)
✅ Q5. Who are the main field workers for MI success?
🅰️ ASHAs, ANMs, and AWWs
(Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition)
🧠 Important for NORCET, NHM, GPSC, RRB, AIIMS, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD).
To reduce malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through a convergent, technology-driven, and community-based approach.
✔️ Reduce stunting among children (0–6 years)
✔️ Reduce underweight children
✔️ Reduce anemia among children, women & adolescent girls
✔️ Improve nutritional status through behavioral change and community participation
| 🎯 Indicator | 📉 Annual Reduction Target |
|---|---|
| Stunting (under-5) | ↓ 2% per year |
| Underweight (under-5) | ↓ 2% per year |
| Low birth weight | ↓ 2% per year |
| Anemia (adolescent girls, women, children) | ↓ 3% per year |
| 🧠 Feature | ✅ Explanation |
|---|---|
| 📲 Use of Technology | ICDS-CAS mobile app for real-time monitoring |
| 🤝 Convergence | Integration of MWCD, MoHFW, MoRD, MHRD, MoW |
| 👩🏫 Behavior Change Communication | Poshan Maah, rallies, competitions, IEC material |
| 🎯 Focus on First 1000 Days | Pregnancy to age 2 – critical for development |
| 🗃️ Growth Monitoring | Use of MCP cards, MUAC tapes, and digitized records |
| 👥 Jan Andolan (People’s Movement) | Community participation and awareness campaigns |
👶 Children (0–6 years)
🤰 Pregnant Women
🤱 Lactating Mothers
👧 Adolescent Girls
✅ Growth monitoring & nutritional counseling
✅ Track high-risk pregnancies and undernourished children
✅ Provide Iron-Folic Acid (IFA), deworming tablets
✅ Conduct home visits and Poshan sessions
✅ Record & report via ICDS-CAS
✅ Mobilize community during Poshan Maah events
✅ Q1. When was POSHAN Abhiyaan launched?
🅰️ 8th March 2018
✅ Q2. What does POSHAN stand for?
🅰️ Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition
✅ Q3. What is the annual reduction target for stunting under POSHAN?
🅰️ 2% per year
✅ Q4. Which digital app supports real-time data in POSHAN Abhiyaan?
🅰️ ICDS-CAS
✅ Q5. POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses mainly on which “window of opportunity”?
🅰️ First 1000 days (pregnancy to 2 years)
🧠 Important for NHM, NORCET, RRB, AIIMS, GPSC, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
RBSK was launched in 2013 under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Early identification and free management of 4Ds in children:
🔹 Defects at birth
🔹 Diseases
🔹 Deficiencies
🔹 Developmental delays (including disabilities)
| 🎯 Group | 🧒 Age Range |
|---|---|
| Children in anganwadis | 0 – 6 years |
| School children (Govt./Govt-aided) | 6 – 18 years |
| Special schools & institutions | All age groups under 18 years |
🔹 Estimated to cover ~27 crore (270 million) children across India
Examples:
| 🔹 Type | 🔧 Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile Health Teams | 2 per block (doctor + ANM + pharmacist + ASHA) |
| Screening Locations | Anganwadi centers, government schools, residential schools |
| Facility-based care | District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) |
✅ Assist in school/anganwadi screening
✅ Mobilize children and parents
✅ Refer children to DEIC
✅ Maintain health records and reports
✅ Educate families on growth & development
✅ Monitor children with special needs
✅ Q1. When was RBSK launched?
🅰️ 2013
✅ Q2. What do the 4Ds in RBSK stand for?
🅰️ Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, Developmental delays
✅ Q3. What is the age group covered under RBSK?
🅰️ 0–18 years
✅ Q4. Which center provides advanced care under RBSK?
🅰️ District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC)
✅ Q5. Who are members of the RBSK Mobile Health Team?
🅰️ Doctor, ANM, Pharmacist, ASHA
🧠 Essential for NHM, NORCET, RRB, GPSC, BSc/GNM Nursing & Community Health Exams
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is one of the world’s largest early childhood care programs, launched by the Government of India on October 2, 1975 under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
To provide holistic development of children (0–6 years) and pregnant/lactating mothers through health, nutrition, and pre-school education.
✅ Children: 0–6 years
✅ Pregnant women 🤰
✅ Lactating mothers 🤱
✅ Adolescent girls (under SABLA scheme)
✅ Women (especially from low-income and rural areas)
| 🧺 Service | ✅ Details |
|---|---|
| 🍚 Supplementary Nutrition | Free food (hot cooked meals or take-home ration) |
| 📚 Non-formal Preschool Education | For children 3–6 years at anganwadi centers |
| 🩺 Immunization | With MoHFW support (BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles) |
| ⚕️ Health Check-ups | Growth monitoring, screening, ANC/PNC check-ups |
| 🩹 Referral Services | For severely malnourished, sick or special-needs children |
| 🧠 Nutrition & Health Education | For mothers on breastfeeding, weaning, hygiene, family planning |
✔️ Backbone of ICDS
✔️ 1 AWC per 1000 population (700 in tribal areas)
✔️ Staffed by:
| 📌 Scheme | 🎯 Focus |
|---|---|
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Convergence platform for nutrition improvement |
| SABLA Scheme | For adolescent girls – nutrition, life skills |
| VHSNDs | Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days |
| THR Program | Take-Home Ration distribution to children & mothers |
✅ Support immunization and health check-ups
✅ Refer high-risk children and pregnant women
✅ Participate in nutrition counseling
✅ Maintain records with AWW
✅ Assist during VHSNDs and Poshan Maah activities
✅ Q1. When was the ICDS scheme launched?
🅰️ October 2, 1975
✅ Q2. Who is the key worker in an Anganwadi center?
🅰️ Anganwadi Worker (AWW)
✅ Q3. What is the age group for non-formal preschool education under ICDS?
🅰️ 3 to 6 years
✅ Q4. What does THR stand for in ICDS?
🅰️ Take-Home Ration
✅ Q5. What is the main aim of POSHAN Abhiyaan under ICDS?
🅰️ Holistic nutrition improvement of women and children
🧠 Important for NHM, NORCET, RRB, GPSC, BSc/GNM Nursing & CHN Exams
✔️ Improve nutrition and health status of adolescent girls (11–18 yrs)
✔️ Provide life skills, health education, and vocational training
✔️ Promote awareness about family welfare, menstrual hygiene, and reproductive health
| 🔹 Category | 📌 Details |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Nutrition Support | Take-Home Ration (THR) or hot cooked meals |
| 📘 Non-Nutrition | Life skills education, IFA tablets, health check-ups |
| 👩🏫 Vocational Skills | Training for older girls (16–18 years) |
| 🩸 Menstrual Hygiene | Distribution of sanitary napkins + awareness |
| ✅ Provided By | 🧰 Services |
|---|---|
| ANM, ASHA, AWW | |
| 🍼 Immunization | BCG, OPV, DPT, MR, Hep B, PCV |
| 📏 Growth Monitoring | Height, weight, MUAC |
| 💊 IFA & Deworming | For children, adolescents, pregnant women |
| 📚 Health Education | Handwashing, breastfeeding, family planning |
| 📝 Pregnancy Tracking | ANC/PNC follow-up, MCP card updates |
“Convergence of health and nutrition at grassroots level” through community mobilization.
THR is part of the ICDS Scheme, where nutritious food supplements are provided in pre-packed or raw form to beneficiaries at home.
| 👥 Group | 🥣 THR Provided |
|---|---|
| Children (6–36 months) | Energy-dense food |
| Pregnant Women | Protein-rich supplements |
| Lactating Mothers | Micronutrient-enriched food |
| Adolescent Girls (SABLA) | Fortified cereals, IFA |
✅ Convenient for families
✅ Improves regularity of intake
✅ Reduces undernutrition
✅ Encourages household-level nutrition awareness
✅ Q1. What is the age group targeted under SABLA scheme?
🅰️ 11–18 years (adolescent girls)
✅ Q2. What does VHSND stand for?
🅰️ Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Day
✅ Q3. Which program distributes sanitary pads to adolescent girls?
🅰️ SABLA Scheme
✅ Q4. THR is provided under which major program?
🅰️ ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services)
✅ Q5. How often is VHSND organized?
🅰️ Once a month (usually Wednesday)
🧠 Important for NHM, NORCET, AIIMS, GPSC, RRB, BSc/GNM Nursing & Community Health Nursing Exams
IYCF refers to the optimal feeding practices for infants (0–12 months) and young children (up to 2 years) to ensure survival, growth, and development.
🧠 It is a global strategy endorsed by WHO & UNICEF and implemented in India under NHM.
✔️ Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
✔️ Ensure timely, adequate complementary feeding
✔️ Reduce infant mortality, malnutrition, and infections
✔️ Educate mothers & caregivers on proper feeding habits
| 👶 Age Group | 🍽️ Recommended Feeding Practice |
|---|---|
| Birth to 1 hour | Initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth |
| 0 to 6 months | Exclusive breastfeeding – NO water, formula, food |
| 6 to 24 months | Continue breastfeeding + start complementary feeding |
| After 24 months | Gradual weaning; continue healthy family diet |
🔹 Only mother’s milk – no water, honey, sugar, or formula
🔹 Supplies all nutrients, hydration & immune protection
🔹 Reduces risks of diarrhea, pneumonia, and neonatal death
🔹 Start at 6 months with semi-solid, mashed food
🔹 Give small, frequent meals (2–3 times/day → 5–6 times/day)
🔹 Continue breastfeeding up to 2 years
🔹 Include energy-dense, diverse foods (grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, eggs)
🔹 Ensure responsive feeding (feed actively, encourage child)
✅ Counsel mothers during ANC & PNC visits
✅ Support early initiation of breastfeeding
✅ Educate about correct complementary feeding
✅ Identify feeding problems/malnutrition
✅ Demonstrate hygiene in food preparation
✅ Monitor weight gain and growth
| 🏛️ Program | 🎯 Purpose |
|---|---|
| MAA Programme | Mothers’ Absolute Affection – promote breastfeeding |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Improve nutrition & support IYCF practices |
| VHSNDs | Nutrition & IYCF counseling at village level |
| ICDS Program | Growth monitoring & THR distribution |
✅ Q1. What does IYCF stand for?
🅰️ Infant and Young Child Feeding
✅ Q2. At what age should complementary feeding begin?
🅰️ 6 months
✅ Q3. Up to what age is exclusive breastfeeding recommended?
🅰️ 6 months
✅ Q4. Which program promotes breastfeeding through MAA campaign?
🅰️ NHM (National Health Mission)
✅ Q5. Which vitamin is supplemented every 6 months from 9 months?
🅰️ Vitamin A
🧠 Essential for NHM, NORCET, GPSC, RRB, AIIMS, ESIC & Community Health Nursing Exams
MAA – Mothers’ Absolute Affection is a nationwide breastfeeding promotion initiative launched in August 2016 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.
🎯 Goal:
To enhance breastfeeding practices through mass awareness, counseling, and community involvement under National Health Mission (NHM).
✔️ Promote early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth
✔️ Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
✔️ Promote continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond
✔️ Educate mothers, caregivers, and health staff
✔️ Establish lactation support systems at community and facility levels
| 🧩 Component | 📋 Description |
|---|---|
| 🗣️ IEC/BCC Activities | Posters, media, street plays, audio-visual content |
| 👩⚕️ Capacity Building | Training of ANMs, ASHAs, nurses, and medical officers |
| 🛏️ Lactation Support Services | Establish Breastfeeding Corners, Lactation Management Centres |
| 🏥 Facility-based Counseling | IYCF counseling during ANC/PNC visits and delivery |
| 👥 Community Engagement | Mother support groups, SHGs, community meetings |
🔹 Start breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth
🔹 Feed only breast milk for 6 months (no water, honey, etc.)
🔹 Continue breastfeeding up to 2 years or more
🔹 Feed on demand, day and night
🔹 No use of bottles, formula, or pacifiers
| 👶 For Baby | 🤱 For Mother |
|---|---|
| Protects from infections (e.g., diarrhea, pneumonia) | Reduces risk of breast & ovarian cancer |
| Enhances brain development | Helps in uterine involution |
| Ensures proper growth & nutrition | Delays return of menstruation |
| Reduces risk of obesity & diabetes | Emotional bonding with baby |
✅ Counsel mothers during ANC, delivery & PNC
✅ Monitor and support early initiation of breastfeeding
✅ Identify and manage breastfeeding problems
✅ Demonstrate proper positioning and latching techniques
✅ Encourage skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo Care)
✅ Refer to Lactation Management Centres if needed
✅ Q1. What does MAA stand for?
🅰️ Mothers’ Absolute Affection
✅ Q2. When was the MAA campaign launched?
🅰️ August 2016
✅ Q3. Under which mission is MAA implemented?
🅰️ National Health Mission (NHM)
✅ Q4. How long should exclusive breastfeeding be continued?
🅰️ First 6 months
✅ Q5. Who are key frontline workers under MAA?
🅰️ ANMs, ASHAs, and nurses
🧠 Highly important for NHM, GPSC, RRB, Community Health Nursing & NORCET Exams (especially Odisha & tribal areas)
National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha
To ensure safe, respectful, and hygienic delivery in public health facilities by supporting pregnant women through emotional, physical, and psychological care during labor.
| ✅ Key Role | 📝 Details |
|---|---|
| 👣 Assist during labor | Provides moral support, holds hands, encourages pushing |
| 🧼 Ensures clean environment | Supports hygienic practices, helps nurse |
| 🍵 Postnatal help | Supports mother with food, rest, comfort |
| 👶 Neonatal care support | Assists in early breastfeeding, mother-infant bonding |
| 🤝 Acts as a link with family | Bridges communication between hospital staff and family |
Usually a small honorarium/performance-based payment by NHM
Government of Odisha (under NHM) – in remote tribal districts
To provide last-mile transport to pregnant women in hilly or inaccessible tribal areas where ambulances cannot reach directly.
| 🔧 Feature | 📌 Details |
|---|---|
| 🧭 Manual or bamboo stretcher | Traditional but effective in rough terrain |
| 🚑 Linked with 108 ambulance | Provides full transport chain |
| 🤝 Community participation | Carried by trained volunteers from village |
| 🏥 Access to institutional care | Increases facility-based deliveries in remote belts |
✅ Q1. In which Indian state is the Mamta Sakhi initiative active?
🅰️ Odisha
✅ Q2. What is the role of a Mamta Sakhi?
🅰️ Provides emotional and physical support to women during labor
✅ Q3. What is Mamta Doli?
🅰️ A tribal transport support service using stretchers/palanquins
✅ Q4. Why was Mamta Doli introduced?
🅰️ To transport pregnant women from inaccessible areas to health centers
✅ Q5. Who carries the Mamta Doli?
🅰️ Community volunteers or trained helpers
🧠 Important for NHM, NORCET, AIIMS, RRB, GPSC, BSc/GNM Nursing & Community Health Nursing Exams
NSSK stands for Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, a nationwide initiative launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) under the National Health Mission (NHM).
To reduce neonatal mortality rate (NMR) by training healthcare providers in basic newborn care and resuscitation.
👶 Nearly 2 out of every 10 newborn deaths occur due to birth asphyxia and lack of skilled neonatal care.
🧑⚕️ NSSK trains doctors, nurses, ANMs & paramedics in “First Golden Minute” response and essential newborn care.
| ✅ Skill Area | 📌 Focus |
|---|---|
| 🕐 Golden Minute Concept | Immediate resuscitation within 1st minute after birth |
| 🛁 Thermal Protection | Drying, skin-to-skin contact, delayed bathing |
| 🫁 Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC) | Clear airway, stimulate breathing, ventilation |
| 🍼 Early Breastfeeding | Within 1 hour of birth |
| 🛏️ Infection Prevention | Handwashing, sterile cord care |
| 🧼 Clean Delivery Practices | Use of sterile gloves, instruments, etc. |
| 🩺 Monitoring & Referral | Identifying danger signs and timely referrals |
District Hospitals, CHCs, FRUs (First Referral Units), training sites accredited by MoHFW
🟢 Keep baby warm
🟢 Start breathing quickly
🟢 Start breastfeeding early
🟢 Avoid infections
🟢 Refer promptly if danger signs appear
✅ Provide thermal protection & clean delivery
✅ Conduct basic resuscitation if baby not breathing
✅ Promote early breastfeeding
✅ Counsel mother on newborn care
✅ Record APGAR scores
✅ Refer neonates to SNCU if needed
✅ Q1. What does NSSK stand for?
🅰️ Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
✅ Q2. What is the critical period focused on in NSSK?
🅰️ First Golden Minute after birth
✅ Q3. Which condition is mainly addressed by NSSK?
🅰️ Birth asphyxia
✅ Q4. When should breastfeeding be initiated as per NSSK?
🅰️ Within 1 hour of birth
✅ Q5. Who is trained under NSSK?
🅰️ MOs, Nurses, ANMs, Paramedics
IMNCI is the Indian adaptation of WHO-UNICEF’s IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses).
Launched in India in 2003 by MoHFW, it integrates neonatal care into the global IMCI framework.
✔️ Reduce neonatal and child mortality
✔️ Promote early identification and treatment of childhood illnesses
✔️ Improve quality of care at community and facility levels
✔️ Educate caregivers and health workers in holistic child care
| 👶 Age Group | 🎯 Focus of Care |
|---|---|
| 0 to 7 days (Neonate) | Thermal care, feeding, sepsis, danger signs |
| 7 days to 2 months | Fever, sepsis, jaundice, feeding problems |
| 2 months to 5 years | Pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, malaria, ear problems, measles |
| 🧩 Component | 📋 Details |
|---|---|
| ✅ Assessment | Check for danger signs, symptoms, nutrition, immunization |
| 🔷 Classification | Based on color-coded signs (Pink, Yellow, Green) |
| 💊 Treatment | On-spot or referral as per classification |
| 📣 Counseling of Caregiver | Home care, feeding, danger signs, follow-up |
| 📄 Follow-Up & Record Keeping | Scheduled based on condition severity |
| 🟪 Color | 🔍 Classification | 📌 Action |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Pink | Severe illness | Urgent referral / hospital |
| 🟡 Yellow | Moderate illness | Specific treatment at PHC |
| 🟢 Green | Minor illness or no illness | Home care and follow-up |
✅ Assess sick children using IMNCI chart booklet
✅ Identify danger signs in neonates and children
✅ Provide oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics if needed
✅ Counsel mothers on feeding, immunization, and home care
✅ Refer severe cases to FRUs or District Hospitals
✅ Maintain records and follow-up
✅ Q1. What does IMNCI stand for?
🅰️ Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness
✅ Q2. IMNCI covers children of which age group?
🅰️ 0 days to 5 years
✅ Q3. What are the three color classifications in IMNCI?
🅰️ Pink (urgent), Yellow (specific care), Green (home care)
✅ Q4. When was IMNCI launched in India?
🅰️ 2003
✅ Q5. Name one key illness targeted under IMNCI.
🅰️ Pneumonia / Diarrhea / Malnutrition / Sepsis
A growth chart is a visual tool used to monitor a child’s growth over time, especially weight-for-age, to detect malnutrition, failure to thrive, or obesity early.
📘 Also called “Road to Health Chart” or Mother-Child Protection Card (MCP Card) in India.
👶 Children from 0 to 5 years
✔️ Detect early growth faltering
✔️ Identify malnutrition or overweight
✔️ Monitor effect of nutrition and illness
✔️ Guide feeding advice and counseling
✔️ Record immunization & developmental milestones
| 📘 Type | 🔍 Used For |
|---|---|
| Weight-for-age (WFA) | Most common; early detection of undernutrition |
| Height-for-age (HFA) | Detect stunting (chronic malnutrition) |
| Weight-for-height (WFH) | Detect wasting (acute malnutrition) |
| BMI-for-age | Detect overweight/obesity in children |
| 🎨 Color Band | 📌 Interpretation | 🛠️ Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Normal growth | Continue good feeding, growth monitoring |
| 🟡 Yellow | Moderate undernutrition | Nutrition counseling, close follow-up |
| 🔴 Red | Severe undernutrition (SAM) | Immediate referral & nutritional rehab |
✅ Regular weighing & plotting
✅ Identify growth faltering or severe wasting
✅ Educate mother on age-appropriate feeding
✅ Refer child to NRC (Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre) if needed
✅ Keep records in MCP card / ICDS register
✅ Coordinate during VHSNDs & Poshan Maah
✅ Q1. Growth chart monitors which age group?
🅰️ 0–5 years
✅ Q2. In which color zone is a child considered normal?
🅰️ Green
✅ Q3. What does a falling growth curve indicate?
🅰️ Growth faltering / illness / undernutrition
✅ Q4. What is the most commonly used parameter in growth charts?
🅰️ Weight-for-age
✅ Q5. What action is taken if the growth line enters the red zone?
🅰️ Refer to NRC for immediate care