The Delhi government on Tuesday approved the implementation of a comprehensive newborn screening programme to ensure early detection and management of congenital disorders across the national capital.
Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced that the initiative, titled Advanced Newborn Monitoring and Optimal Life Care (ANMOL), will screen approximately 1.5 to 2.5 lakh newborns every year. The programme will operate across all government health facilities and outreach centres, thereby expanding access to early diagnostic services.
Early Detection to Improve Child Health Outcomes
According to the health minister, the programme will enable timely identification and management of multiple congenital conditions, including metabolic, endocrine, functional, and visible disorders.
Specifically, the screening will help detect conditions such as cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, neural tube defects (including spina bifida), limb reduction defects, polydactyly (extra digits), and facial characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
By identifying these conditions early, doctors will be able to initiate prompt treatment and intervention, thereby improving long-term health outcomes for affected children.
Free Diagnostic Tests for Newborns
To support this initiative, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the scheme in the Delhi budget and allocated ₹25 crore for its implementation.
Under the programme, newborns will receive 56 diagnostic tests free of cost at both government and private hospitals. This measure aims to ensure universal access to essential newborn screening services across the city.
Strengthening Healthcare Workforce
In addition, the programme places strong emphasis on strengthening human resources to enable large-scale implementation.
As reported by Hindustan Times, officials stated that the initiative will require 148 personnel, including 73 existing laboratory and field staff. To further support the programme, the government plans to recruit around 60 staff nurses and 15 optometrists.
This expanded workforce will help ensure smooth screening, diagnosis, and follow-up care for newborns.
Improving Coordination Across Health Systems
Moreover, the programme will enhance coordination between hospitals, laboratories, and programme management units. This integrated system will facilitate seamless data flow for all newborns before hospital discharge, ensuring that no child misses essential screening.
Authorities have also prioritised high-delivery-load hospitals and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to strengthen the programme’s effectiveness.
Through ANMOL, the Delhi government aims to build a robust and integrated newborn screening framework, ultimately improving early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health outcomes for children across the Capital.