Dr Sagoe-Moses (left) being assisted to launch the manuals.
A National Early Childhood Development manual aimed at unearthing the potential of children was yesterday launched in Accra.
The guide, developed by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was to increase caregiver’s knowledge on early stimulation in children.
The manual would help to promote the practice of early stimulation techniques in the country at the community level.
Dr Isabella Sagoe-Moses, the Deputy Director of the Family Health Services division of the GHS, speaking at the event, said there was the need to improve healthcare of children in the country, to enable them grow into healthy adults.
She indicated that mother-child interaction at the early stages could help promote early development of the child.
Dr Sagoe-Moses said that the availability of resources would serve as an opportunity to promote good healthcare for mothers and their children.
She said the GHS was committed to providing tools to enhance early development and stimulation of the child.
According to Dr Sagoe-Moses, the GHS was taking the necessary action to ensure that pregnant women after delivering offer quality assistance and attention to their babies, as part of an advanced health care towards promoting national development as well as overcome challenges affecting child development.
Rebecca Fertziger, the Deputy Office Director, Office of Health, Population and Nutrition of USAID, said there was the need for children to grow and develop.
She said the critical period for brain development in children was from conception to age three, when they were sensitive to environmental stimuli and experiences, and urged caregivers to double their efforts to ensure the programme succeeded.
According Fertziger, there was a growing momentum for integrated Early Childhood Development programme that engaged multiple sectors, particularly health nutrition, child and social protection and education to support parents in their care giving functions.
By Lawrence Vomafa Akpalu and Evangel Kelvin Ainoo
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