Kolkata, 26 November (IANS). UNICEF has decided to set up Early Childhood Development (ECD) clinics in all the districts of West Bengal in the coming days. According to an official, the UN body will contact the state government for necessary cooperation in this matter.
“These specialized clinics, available at the Center of Excellence at SSKM Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and at District Early Intervention Centers (DEICs) in 17 of the 28 health districts of West Bengal, said Dr. Monjur Hussain, UNICEF Chief in West Bengal. This initiative will help organize, integrate and advance child-centric initiatives such as ECD clinics.”
Earlier also UNICEF has worked in this direction in Bengal. To bring specialized care closer to the larger population, UNICEF, in collaboration with Nanritam (an organization specializing in developmental paediatrics), has partnered with the State Health and Family Welfare and State Women and Child Development and Social Welfare departments in two blocks of South 24-Parganas. Helped run ECD clinics and train Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, community nurses and other health department staff.
Now after receiving an overwhelming response from parents there, the UN body is planning to spread the ECD network to all the districts of West Bengal.
Speaking on the occasion of National Newborn Week on Monday, Hussain said, “This knowledge and evidence generated at the local level will be used to leverage resources with the government. We will approach the state government to expand the program to other blocks as well.” This will help in the government’s efforts to reach every child and ensure that no one is left behind.”
As part of the ECD programme, frontline workers are being trained to identify children who need special care and refer them to ECD clinics. They also teach parents to make age-appropriate toys using items available at home or scrap items like egg trays.
Dr Nandita Chattopadhyay, developmental pediatrician and director of Nanritam, said, “To address any developmental delays, the clinic is equipped with special kits, toys, pediatricians, physiotherapists, special teachers, psychologists, speech therapists and professional Equipped with doctors.”
–IANS
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