In a pioneering move for child healthcare, the Gujarat government has introduced a 'Health Passport' for every child from birth to 18 years of age, establishing a comprehensive lifelong health record that will be updated through annual medical check-ups.
Launch and Scope
The initiative, launched on June 27, 2026, under the School Health–Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SH-RBSK), was unveiled by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Healthy India' through healthy childhoods.
Around 1.89 crore children across Gujarat are expected to receive Health Passports. Annual health screenings will be conducted by 992 mobile health teams, and each child's medical information will be updated in both physical and digital formats.
Features of the Health Passport
According to the state government, the Health Passport will serve as a master health document, containing a child's complete medical history from birth until age 18. Besides basic personal details, it will record age-wise health check-ups, nutritional status, physical and mental development, referral services, lifestyle guidance, emergency helpline numbers, and progress under the 4D framework of SH-RBSK—Defects at Birth, Deficiencies, Childhood Diseases, and Developmental Delays and Disabilities.
The government noted that the initiative addresses the lack of a readily accessible health record for families. Although annual screening data has been maintained on the SH-RBSK digital portal, parents previously did not have a portable document for routine consultations, treatment, or follow-up visits.
Issuance and Renewal Process
The Health Passport will be issued immediately after health screenings conducted at anganwadis, schools, madrasas, gurukuls, and special schools. Parents will not need to submit any additional documents. Once screening details are entered into the digital platform, the passport will be generated and handed over at the screening site.
The renewal process is streamlined: for children below five years of age and those not attending school, Health Passports will be renewed annually by the Medical Officer of the Primary Health Centre (PHC). For school-going children, annual renewal will be carried out by the school principal.
The physical passport will remain with parents, while all information will be synchronized with the SH-RBSK digital portal for secure record management. In case the passport is lost or damaged, a replacement can be obtained through the mobile health team.
