Centers to Identify Early Childhood Disabilities Will Help in Detecting Developmental Delays and Disabilities

With a view to tackle childhood disabilities at an early age, Dept of Social Justice and Health have come together with a program.
Every district hospital will have a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) , where early screening will be done, for children (0-6 years of age), for detecting developmental delays and disabilities.
Special team consisting of doctors from various fields will be available at DEICs. To start with, these specialists will be hired on contract basis by NRHM.
Health screening programme for children (0-18 years of age) is handled by Health Department by making use of Centrally Sponsored schemes like Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). Whereas, it is being supported under State Initiative on Disabilities (SID), by the Social Justice Department.
Screening of children for neuro development delays / brain development delays are still hampered because of inadequate support system and lack of trained doctors.
ASHAs and Anganwadi workers play a significant role in identifying kids (0-6 years of age), and make a checklist which will later be shared with / referred to DEICs.
As a part of School Health Programme, close to 1,300 School Health Nurses are trained to identify children who need help.

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