CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
Child Welfare Services
Definition: Programs and policies designed to ensure children’s health, safety, and development.
Objectives
- Promote child survival, growth, and development.
- Prevent malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality.
- Protect children from abuse and exploitation.
- Provide immunization and healthcare services.
Key Components
✅ Maternal and Child Health Services (MCH) – Prenatal, postnatal care, immunization.
✅ Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – Supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, preschool education.
✅ Mid-Day Meal Scheme – Provides nutrition to schoolchildren.
✅ Anganwadi Services – Childcare, immunization, growth monitoring.
✅ National Health Mission (NHM) – Focus on child mortality reduction.
Medical & Nursing Management
- Growth monitoring and nutrition assessment.
- Immunization and health education.
- Early detection of malnutrition and developmental delays.
- Community health awareness and family counseling.
2. Special Programs in Pediatric Nursing
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Definition: Launched in 1975 to provide health, nutrition, and education services for children <6 years.
- Services Provided:
- Supplementary Nutrition
- Growth Monitoring
- Health Check-ups & Referral Services
- Non-formal Preschool Education
- Nursing Role: Growth monitoring, immunization, counseling parents.
Universal Immunization Program (UIP)
- Definition: Launched in 1985 for free vaccination against childhood diseases.
- Vaccines Included: BCG, OPV, DPT, Hepatitis B, Measles, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, JE, etc.
- Nursing Role: Administer vaccines, educate caregivers, manage adverse reactions.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
- Definition: Launched in 2013 under NHM for early identification of diseases in children.
- Target Group: Newborns to 18 years (Anganwadi, school children).
- Focus on 4Ds:
- Defects at Birth (Neural tube defects, Down syndrome)
- Deficiencies (Iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition)
- Diseases (Childhood infections, skin conditions)
- Developmental Delays & Disabilities (Cerebral palsy, hearing impairment)
- Nursing Role: Screening, referral, early intervention.
Bal Swasthya Poshan Mah (Child Health & Nutrition Month)
- Definition: Launched in 2014 to address malnutrition and childhood infections.
- Key Activities: Growth monitoring, deworming, vitamin A supplementation, nutrition counseling.
- Nursing Role: Monitor children’s growth, provide health education.
Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU)
- Definition: Facility-based care for sick newborns at district hospitals.
- Services Provided:
- Care for low birth weight/premature babies
- Management of neonatal infections
- Prevention of birth asphyxia
- Nursing Role: Neonatal resuscitation, feeding support, infection prevention.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
- Definition: Conditional cash transfer program for institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
- Nursing Role: Promote safe delivery, postpartum care.
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
- Definition: Skin-to-skin care for preterm/low birth weight babies.
- Benefits:
- Regulates temperature, enhances bonding, promotes breastfeeding.
- Nursing Role: Teach KMC technique to mothers, monitor neonatal health.
National Deworming Program
- Definition: Annual deworming (Albendazole) for children aged 1-19 years to prevent worm infections.
- Nursing Role: Administer deworming tablets, educate about hygiene.
Summary.
✅ Growth Monitoring – Weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference.
✅ Immunization – Administer vaccines, manage adverse effects.
✅ Nutrition Counseling – Promote breastfeeding, balanced diet education.
✅ Early Disease Detection – Screen for anemia, malnutrition, infections.
✅ Referral & Follow-up – Ensure children receive specialized care when needed.
Balwadi
Definition: A rural preschool program that provides early childhood education and basic nutrition to children aged 3-6 years.
Objectives
- Promote early childhood education.
- Improve nutrition and health status of children.
- Develop cognitive and social skills.
Services Provided
✅ Non-formal preschool education.
✅ Basic nutrition (milk, porridge, snacks).
✅ Health check-ups and immunization.
Diagnostic Evaluation
- Growth Monitoring (Weight, Height, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference).
- Developmental Milestones assessment.
Medical Management
- Immunization as per Universal Immunization Program (UIP).
- Deworming and vitamin supplementation.
Nursing Management
- Monitor nutritional status.
- Educate parents on child development.
- Assist in immunization programs.
Anganwadi
Definition: A rural childcare center under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), providing nutrition, healthcare, and preschool education to children (0-6 years).
Objectives
- Improve health and nutrition of children & mothers.
- Provide preschool education.
- Reduce child mortality and morbidity.
Services Provided
✅ Supplementary Nutrition – Hot cooked meals, take-home rations.
✅ Immunization – BCG, DPT, OPV, Hepatitis B, Measles.
✅ Health Check-ups – Growth monitoring, anemia detection.
✅ Non-Formal Preschool Education – Cognitive and social development.
✅ Referral Services – Severe malnutrition, developmental delays.
✅ Nutrition & Health Education – Maternal nutrition, breastfeeding support.
Diagnostic Evaluation
- Anthropometric measurements (Weight, Height, MUAC).
- Nutritional Deficiency Screening (Anemia, Vitamin A deficiency).
Medical Management
- Deworming, micronutrient supplementation (Iron, Folic Acid).
- Referral to hospitals for severe malnutrition.
Nursing Management
- Conduct health education sessions.
- Monitor children’s growth.
- Encourage maternal and child health practices.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)
Definition: A government initiative launched in 1995 to provide free cooked meals to school children in Government & Government-aided schools (Class 1-8).
Objectives
- Improve nutritional status of school children.
- Increase school enrollment and attendance.
- Reduce dropout rates.
Nutritional Guidelines
✅ Primary Students (1-5th Std) – 450 kcal, 12g protein.
✅ Upper Primary (6-8th Std) – 700 kcal, 20g protein.
✅ Includes Rice, Dal, Vegetables, Eggs, Milk (varies by state policy).
Diagnostic Evaluation
- Nutritional assessment (BMI, Hemoglobin levels).
- School Attendance & Performance Reports.
Medical Management
- Periodic Deworming, Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation.
- Growth monitoring for malnutrition cases.
Nursing Management
- Monitor school children’s growth.
- Educate on hygiene & balanced diet.
- Identify & report malnourished children for interventions.
Summary.
✅ Growth Monitoring – Regular weight, height tracking.
✅ Nutrition Education – Educating caregivers about balanced diets.
✅ Immunization & Deworming – Preventive health measures.
✅ Early Identification & Referral – Detecting malnutrition & developmental delays.