Patna: In a significant turnaround, Bihar has issued health assessment cards to over 29 lakh children since December 2024, after months of stagnation that saw zero cards created in the state prior to the campaign’s launch.
According to the Directorate of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a special campaign initiated in December resulted in the generation of health cards for 26.15% of the state’s 95 lakh registered children by the end of April. Bihar now ranks second in the country for card issuance, following Maharashtra, which leads with 30.63% coverage.
Before the campaign, the state had issued health cards to just 1,435 children — a figure described by officials as “extremely disappointing.” However, the pace has significantly accelerated, with thousands of children now being registered each month.
The health cards, linked to Aadhaar, maintain an online record of each child’s health information. This allows for immediate medical attention in case of illness, as treatment can commence based on the digital record, eliminating the need for physical prescriptions. Children covered under the scheme are also entitled to free medicines and Ayurvedic treatment at government hospitals.
