Dubai: The Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre was launched yesterday with the aim of providing intervention services for children with disabilities and congenital abnormalities, a senior official said.

"Early intervention contributes in moulding healthier individuals who will be useful for their families and the society. The centre, along with the families, play an integral role in creating more responsible generation that can cope with the challenges," said Shaikh Maktoum Butti Al Maktoum, Chief Executive at Social Care, Community Development Authority (CDA).

Speaking at a press conference, Shaikh Maktoum said the centre was launched in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 to strengthen social services in the Emirate.

"One of our main objectives at the Early Childhood centre is to improve and develop children with disabilities. The centre will work towards strengthening the mental, psychological and physical development of these children," said Shaikh Maktoum.

Vision

"The DECDC enhances the aims of CDA towards social integration of children with disabilities in the community, so that all can enjoy security and social welfare through a comprehensive social protection system. We will continue to focus on developing advanced and intensive programmes to achieve this goal."

According to officials, there are currently 2,129 children eligible for the programme as they either have disabilities or at are risk of having a disability.

"The launch of Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre complements our strategy to strengthen social development in an integrated manner in the emirate. We plan to launch similar initiatives in the future to provide high quality services by applying best practices based on scientific grounds," said Khalid Al Kamdah, Director General, CDA.