October 10, 2026: The Delhi government has announced a set of healthcare initiatives that includes expanding newborn screening and increasing incentives for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA). The measures were announced under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on October 6.

Newborn screening expanded

The ANMOL programme is being expanded to screen newborns for 63 congenital conditions, up from 56. Screening is intended to identify selected conditions early so families and healthcare teams can arrange follow-up assessment and treatment where needed.

According to The Indian Express, more than 75,000 newborns had been screened under the programme since its launch, and the government said it aims to scale up to 2.5 lakh screenings annually. Screening programmes do not replace a clinician’s assessment; parents should follow the advice of their healthcare team when a result requires further testing.

ASHA worker incentives increased

The government also announced that monthly incentives for ASHA workers in Delhi would increase from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000, benefiting 6,690 workers, according to the report. ASHA workers connect communities with public-health services and help families access maternal, newborn and other care.

Other health-system measures

The initiatives also included the inauguration of a State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation building and an online Nursing Home Management System for private facility registration. These measures are intended to support health-service administration and oversight.

What families should know

  • Ask the maternity or paediatric team which newborn screening tests are offered locally.
  • Confirm how results are communicated and where follow-up testing is available.
  • Use official state health channels for eligibility and programme details.
  • Do not interpret a screening result as a diagnosis without medical follow-up.

Source

The Indian Express — Expanded ANMOL scheme and higher ASHA incentives, October 7, 2026