Health Ministry Unveils SSBSK Child Care Framework

The Health Ministry announced Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) as a unified national programme for young child care. It will integrate Home-Based Newborn Care and Home-Based Care for Young Child into one comprehensive framework.

SSBSK has been designed to ensure continuity of care from birth to the first three years of life. By merging the two community-based initiatives, the programme aims to strengthen child survival, nutrition, healthy growth and early childhood development. The move is important because it reflects convergence in maternal and child health service delivery. For competitive exams, SSBSK is relevant under health schemes, child welfare and social development governance.