The scope of the Home-Based Care programme, launched in 13 aspirational districts of Bihar, will be further expanded in the coming days. In the first phase, in addition to the 13 aspirational districts, the programme was extended to 10 more districts by the Health Department. There are now plans to expand it to all 38 districts.
According to the Health Department, the Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) programme is being run to protect children from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malnutrition.
ALSO READ: Gorakhpur: Govt Plans Special CM Jan Seva Buses For New Year; Offer 20% less Fare | Check Key Routes
To ensure the successful running of the programme, 63,735 ASHA workers have also been trained. The scheme covers children aged 3, 6, and 9 months, as well as 1-year-old and 1.5-year-old children.
The objectives of launching this scheme include reducing the mortality rate of infants and young children, improving nutritional indicators (especially nutrition, supplementary feeding, and immunisation), increasing awareness among mothers and caregivers, and improving overall development.
The 13 aspirational districts where this scheme is currently running are Gaya, Jamui, Katihar, Khagaria, Muzaffarpur, Nawada, Purnia, Sheikhpura, Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Begusarai, and Sitamarhi. Meanwhile, at the state government level, the scheme is also running in Madhubani, Saharsa, Sheohar, Jehanabad, Arwal, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhepura. The scheme will be extended to the remaining districts in the coming days.
What is Home-Based Care for Young Child?
The Newborn Home-Based Care programme is being run as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Child Development for newborn infants. After delivery, mother and child are cared for in hospitals.
In the case of home births, the infant requires special monitoring because the first 42 days are very crucial for any infant. During this period, a majority of children experience problems such as pneumonia, hypothermia, seizures (chamki), diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties.
In the case of institutional or home births, an ASHA worker is required to make 6 and 7 home visits, respectively, over a period of 42 days. Since the ASHA worker's home care visits end after 42 days, additional home visits are to be made between 3 and 15 months.
Under HBYC, 5 additional home visits are to be made. They will make these visits quarterly in the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 15th months. Its goal is to promote better nutrition for infants.
This includes reducing the mortality rate by ensuring the initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by supplementary feeding, age-appropriate immunisation, and other proper care.