Bengaluru, the new health capital of India, added another feather to its cap when a Child Development Centre was launched at the Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Marathahalli. This is the first of its kind centre in the entire country.
The Child development Centre at the Rainbow Institute for Advanced Neurosciences believes in helping the little ones achieve the best of their potential through the multidisciplinary team approach that would maximise their development. This is achieved by early detection and timely intervention with a dedicated and comprehensive team of professionals. The high-risk babies are monitored from birth; through their developing years to achieve the best of their abilities. Children with developmental problems are helped in minimising their disabilities.
The centre was inaugurated by Mrs India 2017-Tripti Rao, who said that there is a need for such centres so that we can diagnose the deficiencies in babies at the earliest. As part of the launch programme, a number of innovative programmes were taken up like a therapeutic puppet show by well known puppeteer Mrs Renuka. The students with special skills surprised the crowd with a flash mob that had the hidden message of taking care of the kids.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Angela David, Developmental & Behavioural Paediatrician, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “The amazing potential of the child’s brain makes it possible for him/her to be a completely independent person by school-age. It is important to ensure that this development is happening appropriately in all children and especially in the high-risk babies. Child development centres are essential for the proper evaluation and intervention to help these children.” The child’s brain is one of the most powerful organs in nature. Babies are born with all the brain cells (neurons) and all these brain cells connect with each other making “neural connections”. In fact, a child’s brain has 2.5 times more such connections than an adult brain. Added to this is a dynamic “neuroplasticity” which means that by changing stimulus presented to the child’s brain, we can enhance its development. This is best achieved in the developing brain during the first years of life. This can be made possible by providing an enriched environment and through specific tasks and exercises that are tailor made for each child and by assessing its strengths and weaknesses. The end result is a child with a vastly improved potential future. One who is a happier, productive and well-integrated member of society. Hence, this new child development centre promises to be a boon for Bengalureans.
Talking about the uniqueness of the centre, Dr Ann Agnes Mathew, Paediatric Neurologist said, “We have the most comprehensive centre in Bengaluru at the moment. This is not only because of our team members, but also because we work as a multidisciplinary team. Although the child needs all of us, it is a bit like a dance drama – where each team member has a role to play each time and we have to respect that and work under the guidance of the director. This is the main feature setting us apart.” While the other hospitals are equipped with only physio and occupational therepay, the Child Development Centre has dedicated facilities for Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech and hearing therapy, Psychology, Nutrition and Sports therapy. Hence, this is the most integrated and no child has to go elsewhere for their needs.
Multi specialty Rainbow children hospital entered Bengaluru with a mission- that children of the city require and exclusive children’ hospital. “Our first state of art child development centre with world class infrastructure and experienced healthcare professionals dedicate this centre for all those special children who require special medical care”, said Neeraj Lal, vice president and cluster head, Rainbow Children’s Hospital.
India’s first Child Development Centre inaugurated in City
