Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK): A Comprehensive Guide

Understand the objectives and coverage of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).
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3 min
10-May-2024

According to 2011 census data, adolescents aged 10-19 years constitute over one-fifth of India’s total population, totaling 253 million. This demographic requires nutrition, education, counseling, and guidance for healthy adulthood. The Government of India aims to influence their health-seeking behavior, recognising its impact on overall health, mortality, morbidity, and population growth. To ensure holistic development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), targeting all adolescents, including marginalised and underserved groups. In this group, we will discuss the benefits, coverage, eligibility, and more about the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).

RKSK: An overview

Given below is a brief overview of RKSK:

Scheme name

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)

Launched on

January 7, 2014

Launched by

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Objective of the scheme

Aims to offer a comprehensive development of 250 million adolescents.

 

Key features of RKSK

Discussed below are the key features of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK):

  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) on January 7, 2014, aiming to cater to 253 million adolescents, encompassing various demographics.
  • This program broadens the scope of adolescent health initiatives in India, extending beyond sexual and reproductive health to include nutrition, injuries, violence (including gender-based violence), non-communicable diseases, mental health, and substance misuse.
  • Its primary strength lies in its health promotion strategy, transitioning from clinic-based services to prevention-focused approaches, reaching adolescents in their natural environments such as schools, families, and communities.
  • Key components include community-based interventions like counselor outreach, facility-based counseling, Social and Behavior Change Communication, and bolstering Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics across different levels of care.

Explore: Government health insurance schemes in India

Objectives of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)

This program collaborates with community-based educators, as well as state government departments and ministries, to achieve the following objectives: 

1. Enhance reproductive and sexual health

Efforts in this area involve:

  • Providing parental support to adolescent parents
  • Lowering adolescent pregnancy rates
  • Educating adolescent parents to prevent birth complications in the future

2. Enhance adolescent mental health

With only 41% of Indian adolescents seeking mental health assistance, this initiative aims to ensure each young person reaches their potential and makes informed choices.

3. Prevent violence and injuries among adolescents

This initiative strives to foster a positive attitude among adolescents to prevent violence and injuries.

4. Enhance nutrition

Improving adolescent nutrition involves:

  • Addressing malnutrition issues
  • Reducing iron deficiency and anemia among young boys and girls in India

5. Prevent Substance Abuse

Raising awareness among adolescents about the harmful effects of substance abuse is a key goal.

6. Address Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Approximately one in ten adolescents in India smoke, while a quarter are physically inactive. Urban youth are particularly susceptible to NCD risk factors. Hence, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram promotes awareness and implements effective programs to encourage a healthy lifestyle among young people.

Also, check: Benefits of health insurance

Eligibility criteria for RKSK

  • The main focus is on individuals aged 10 to 19 years.
  • It encompasses both married and unmarried males and females, regardless of their economic status.
  • This scheme extends to young people attending school as well as those who are not enrolled.

Application process for RKSK

There is no specific registration process under RKSK. State officials conduct field visits and gather data through careful observation. However, the implementation strategy may differ for each state, so it's advisable to consult official guidelines. With India maintaining one of the world's youngest populations, initiatives like RKSK aim to address the growing challenges among adolescents. It's essential to thoroughly review all official guidelines for accurate information.

Convergence under RKSK

The Adolescent Health Strategy envisages intra-ministry convergence, with existing programmes of the MoHFW, for instance:

  • RBSK
  • Family Planning
  • Child Health
  • Maternal Health
  • National AIDS Control Programme
  • National Tobacco Control Programme
  • National Mental Health Programme
  • National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases

This strategy also envisages inter-ministerial convergence with:

  • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS)
  • Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)
  • Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
  • Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE)
  • Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE)

In conclusion, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) plays a pivotal role in promoting adolescent health in India. By focusing on preventive healthcare, sexual and reproductive health, mental well-being, and substance abuse prevention, RKSK addresses the unique needs of adolescents. Additionally, integrating health insurance into this program can further enhance its effectiveness. Health insurance provides financial security, ensuring access to quality healthcare services without burdening families with exorbitant medical expenses. In today's world, where health emergencies can arise unexpectedly, health insurance offers a safety net, fostering a healthier and more resilient society by ensuring that adolescents have access to timely and appropriate medical care.

Frequently asked questions

Does RKSK focus on the LGBTQ community?

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) focuses on reaching out alladolescents include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

What does Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram target?

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has initiated a health program aimed at adolescents aged 10-19 years, addressing concerns such as nutrition, reproductive health, and substance abuse, alongside other pertinent issues.

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