About one in every seven citizens is under the age of five years in Sindh province. In the villages of Sindh, many children are growing up with developmental delays. Some are born too early or too small, while others are born to mothers who are weak from anemia. These challenges affect how children grow, learn and interact with the world around them.
During a recent visit to a village in Sindh, I met a little girl named Ameena. She was three. Her eyes followed everything, but she hardly spoke. Her mother told me, “She doesn’t answer when I call her. Other children are learning poems. She just looks away.” Ameena’s situation is not unique. Health workers in the area often see babies born underweight or before their due date. Many of these children later struggle to walk, talk or learn like other kids their age. Parents usually notice these delays only after the child is older, when the window for early intervention has closed.
What’s worrying is that this is happening to countless children, not just a few. These developmental delays can lead to problems in schooling and later in life, including challenges in employment and productivity. This affects the future of these children, their families, community and the nation at large. But there is a way forward.
One idea is to set up simple Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in local communities. These centres can be built into schools, health clinics or even homes. Local women can be trained to run them, using toys, books and play-based activities to help children grow and learn. Such centres can also guide parents and spot early delays, so children can get help when it matters most.
Of course, we also need to support mothers during pregnancy. This means better health care, especially for treating anemia. Health workers should also be trained to notice early signs of developmental delays. And we must spread awareness, so families know what to look for and where to go if they’re concerned.
The good news is that we don’t have to start from zero. We already have health workers, schools and basic structures. What we need now is to strengthen them with knowledge, training and support. With small changes and the right support, we can make a big difference.
Dr Shiyam Sunder Tikmani
AKUH, Karachi
