Kolkata: UNICEF has announced plans to establish Early Child Development (ECD) clinics in all districts of West Bengal, aiming to enhance healthcare services for children up to three years old. The initiative, which currently operates at select locations, will be expanded with support from the state government, an official stated on Monday, as per IANS.
“These specialized clinics, already functioning at the Centre of Excellence at SSKM Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata and District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) in 17 of the 28 health districts, deliver critical services for young children,” said Dr. Monjur Hossain, UNICEF's Chief in West Bengal, according to IANS. “The initiative will convene, converge, and catalyze child-centered interventions, extending the reach of ECD clinics.”
Inputs from IANS reveal that UNICEF, in collaboration with Nanritam, an organization specializing in developmental pediatrics, has supported the state’s health, family welfare, and social welfare departments to operate ECD clinics in two blocks of South 24-Parganas. The program also includes training for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, community nurses, and other health staff.
Following positive feedback from parents, UNICEF plans to expand this network statewide. “Based on local-level evidence and knowledge, we will use this data for policy advocacy and resource mobilization. We are approaching the state government to scale up the program to other blocks, aligning with efforts to ensure no child is left behind,” Hossain added during National Newborn Week commemorations, as per IANS.
The ECD program empowers frontline workers to identify children requiring specialized care and refer them to clinics. Parents are also taught to create age-appropriate toys from household or discarded items, such as egg trays, fostering development through accessible methods, according to inputs from IANS.
These clinics are equipped with comprehensive facilities, including kits, toys, and a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, physiotherapists, special educators, psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. “Addressing developmental delays early is key to providing optimal care,” said Dr. Nandita Chattopadhyay, a developmental pediatrician and Director of Nanritam.
UNICEF’s initiative aligns with its commitment to child health and development, aiming to create a robust support system for early childhood. As per IANS, expanding ECD clinics will strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring specialized care is accessible to every child, particularly in underserved areas.