Vijayawada: NTR district Collector Dr G Lakshmisha said that the government has launched 'Nava Chetana' programme to ensure holistic development of children and provide them with a healthy and secure future.
He asked officials from all coordinating departments to work together to successfully implement the initiative.
A district-level training programme on Nava Chetana was organised by Women Development and Child Welfare Department at the Collectorate here on Wednesday.
Speaking after inaugurating the programme, the Collector said the initiative was introduced to identify developmental delays and disabilities among children at an early stage and provide them with timely support services. He said Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based mobile and digital tools would be used to assess the developmental status of children.
Dr Lakshmisha explained that the programme would help monitor physical, mental, language, social and self-help skills of children and identify developmental concerns at an early stage. The screening data related to children's behaviour, speech, movement and social interaction would be recorded through a dedicated app, he added. The Collector said parents would also be sensitised and children requiring further care would be referred to medical experts and specialists for treatment and developmental support. He emphasised that the first 1,000 days in a child's life are extremely crucial, as nearly 80% of brain development takes place before the age of three.
He stated that early identification of developmental issues would help provide proper treatment, therapy and special training at the right time. He directed officials of the Women Development and Child Welfare Department, Medical and Health Department and other related wings to work in close coordination for the effective implementation of the programme.
District Women Development and Child Welfare Officer Ruksana Sultana Begum, DM&HO Dr J Indumathi, District Immunisation Officer Dr Sharath, RBSK Project Officer Dr G Madhavi Naidu, CDPOs Bhanumathi, Jyothsna, Lakshmi Bhargavi, Satyavathi, Pushpalatha, Krishna Kumari, supervisors and health department staff participated in the programme.