The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, has announced the establishment of District Early Intervention Centres (DEIC) in all districts of the state under the Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) by next year. Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao, revealed this during a Legislative Assembly session while responding to queries from Congress MLA Prakash Koliwad.
Rao emphasized that the RBSK program aims to provide early screening and intervention for children with disabilities and health concerns. These DEIC centres will focus on identifying and treating children with developmental delays and medical issues at an early stage. Specialized professionals like paediatricians, nurses, cardiologists, and psychologists will be part of these centres.
The government’s decision to expand the program statewide and establish centres in all districts comes after the successful operation of 17 DEIC centres in the state. Minister Rao stressed the importance of early intervention in addressing health issues during childhood, which significantly impacts the future well-being of children.
MLA Prakash Koliwad commended the initiative and highlighted the discrepancy between estimated and registered cases of specially-abled children in Karnataka. He urged for the establishment of DEIC centres in all districts, emphasizing the challenges faced by specially-abled children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
