The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare convened a two-day National Workshop on Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) on August 24–25, 2026, at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The workshop was chaired by Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director of National Health Mission, and brought together senior officials from the Ministry, Government of Maharashtra representatives, State Nodal Officers for Child Health and ASHA programme from all 36 States and Union Territories, technical experts, and development partners including WHO India, UNICEF India, and the Norwegian embassy.
The workshop focused on translating SSBSK Operational Guidelines into effective implementation with emphasis on strengthening continuum of care for newborns and young children from birth to three years of age. A key feature discussed was risk-differentiated care where 'At-risk' newborns and children receive intensified follow-up, additional home visits, closer monitoring, and strengthened referral support through joint home visits by frontline health workers and primary healthcare teams.
The digital Shaishav App was highlighted as a central platform supporting SSBSK implementation, enabling identification and digital line-listing of at-risk newborns and children, scheduling and tracking of home visits, follow-up of referrals, supportive supervision, and programme monitoring. The app creates longitudinal child health profiles to ensure continuity of information as children progress from newborn period through early childhood.
The programme, launched by Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda on 29 June 2026 during the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare, integrates HBNC and HBYC into a unified, risk-stratified continuum of home- and community-based care under the vision 'पहले तीन साल, सम्पूर्ण देखभाल' (first three years, complete care). It focuses beyond survival to healthy growth and development, nutrition, nurturing care, maternal well-being, early identification of illness and developmental concerns, and timely referral and follow-up.
Technical sessions covered risk identification, home-visit schedules, maternal postnatal and mental health, infant and young child feeding, growth and developmental monitoring, nurturing care and early childhood development, danger sign identification, referral and follow-up protocols, and use of the Shaishav App. Special emphasis was placed on family engagement in responsive caregiving, age-appropriate play and communication, appropriate feeding practices, and early recognition of health concerns.