UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be launching a new initiative of Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Service at Palghar town in Thane district of Maharashtra today.

The initiative, called Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is part of the National Rural Health Mission and aims to provide comprehensive health care for all children screening for birth defects and deficiencies that can lead to disabilities.

The new initiative would assure a package of health services for all children up to 18 years of age. The programme launched at Palghar, will be extended to cover all districts of the country in a phased manner.

When fully implemented, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is expected to benefit approximately 27 crore children across the country.