KHPT launched its early childhood development and care interventions titled ‘Improving early childhood development through a life cycle approach: Preconception to early childhood’ at Tumakuru on June 15.  The launch was attended by representatives of the Departments of Women and Child Development, and Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, including frontline workers, as well as representatives of Healthium Medtech.

Mr Mohan HL, CEO, KHPT, set the context for the gathering, emphasizing the importance of convergence between the different departments to help children achieve the desired development outcomes. Dr Deepak, Medical Advisor, Healthium Medtech, said that in most interventions, the lifecycle approach was missing, and if this pilot was a success, it would be a powerful and cost-effective intervention to improve childhood development.

 Mr Shridhar, Deputy Director, Women and Child Development, Tumakuru; Dr Nagendrappa, District Health Officer, Tumakuru; and Dr Vidya Kumari, K, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Tumakuru addressed the audience, and encouraged them to support the initiative for the future of the children in their communities.

The three-year program, which will be implemented in Kunigal Taluka, aims to design and develop innovative strategies and intervention packages aimed at improving Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and to develop an intersectoral convergence model at the village level and build sustainable solutions. KHPT will be implementing this initiative in Kunigal Taluka, a rural block of Tumakuru district.

The event was followed by an activity-based public engagement program, for participants which will support the development of the model by consolidating their knowledge about available programmes for women and children, the challenges they face and their recommendations on improving services for women and children’s health.