Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday inaugurated the statewide children's health checkup campaign at the Indira Gandhi Model School in Aundh, Pune. During the event, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse (via video conference), Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar, Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil, and others were present.

This campaign is being conducted under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), screening more than 1.5 crore children across the state. Each child will undergo a thorough health screening, including routine clinical exams, temperature and blood pressure checks. Under government health programmes, infants with congenital impairments will be identified and provided with free medical care and surgery. The programme will help identify and offer free treatment for conditions such as anaemia, eye disorders, dental issues, heart diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy and mental health disorders. All identified cases will be referred to government hospitals and healthcare centres for specialised treatment.

Addressing the crowd at the inauguration, Pawar stated that the state government is committed to ensuring the health and bright future of every child. "The initiative will help gather important health information, and in the first phase, physical and mental illnesses will be identified and treated for free promptly... The health of children is not just confined to a family, but it is crucial for the bright future of society and the nation. Therefore, the state’s children must be healthy, with good health, academic success, and responsible citizenship," he said.

"Children often suffer from congenital malnutrition, anaemia, eye and dental issues, heart diseases, leprosy, etc., and face various challenges. This campaign will provide treatment and surgery for such children at government hospitals under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, benefiting many children in need... The state government is working hard to ensure that the underprivileged benefit from these services. Considering the growing incidence of cancer among women in the state, the government is contemplating preventive measures, including vaccination, and will soon take a decision on this matter," the NCP chief added.