Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram

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The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched a health programme for adolescents, in the age group of 10-19 years, which would target their nutrition, reproductive health and substance abuse, among other issues.

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram was launched on 7th January, 2014.

The key principles of this programme is adolescent participation and leadership, Equity and inclusion, Gender Equity and strategic partnerships with other sectors and stakeholders.

The programme envisions enabling all adolescents in India to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and well being and by accessing the services and support they need to do so.

To guide the implementation of this programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with UN Fund for Population Activities has developed a National Adolescent Health Strategy. It realigns the existing clinic-based curative approach to focus on a more holistic model based on a continuum of care for adolescent health and developmental needs.

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (National Adolescent Health Programme), will comprehensively address the health needs of the 243 million adolescents.

It introduces community-based interventions through peer educators, and is underpinned by collaborations with other ministries and state governments.

Objectives: Improve Nutrition, Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health, Enhance Mental Health, Prevent Injuries and violence, Prevent substance misuse