India, Feb. 20 -- The district's health department has intensified its screenings for early detection of birth defects among children up to 18 years of age, officials said on Thursday. The year-round drive will be conducted at 1,033 anganwadi centres and 574 schools in two phases, officials said.

Under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), childhood deformities and diseases, such as congenital heart disease (CHD), blindness and speech issues, among other conditions will be detected.

According to officials, the exercise will initially screen around 87,744 children at anganwadi centres until March. "Eleven mobile health teams with healthcare practitioners will examine their weight, height, eye-sight and nutritional values, along wi...