Awareness session highlights importance of early childhood well-being, screening and nutrition

An awareness session on Early Childhood Well-being, Screening and Nutrition, organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, at Gold Crest Hotel in Quatre Bornes, yesterday, brought together health professionals, managers and representatives of Child Day Care Centres, educators, caregivers and other stakeholders.

The objective of the session was to enhance the observational capabilities of participants so as to better understand the needs of children and identify potential warning signs that may require special attention. The initiative is part of the vision of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare for prevention, early identification, family support, and the strengthening of the capacities of managers and staff of Child Day Care Centres.

Present at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, affirmed that every child should be seen, heard, protected, respected and valued. She underlined the importance of investing in children as a means of securing the nation's future and stated that it is the duty of a responsible Government to support families with compassion and to put in place accessible, caring and effective support systems. "When we invest in a child, we invest in the future of our country. Every act of protection and every measure of care extended to a child has the potential to transform a life,” she said.

Concerning early screening, Mrs Navarre-Marie pointed out that while it does not constitute a medical diagnosis, it serves as a mechanism for observation, guidance and referral to the appropriate health services whenever certain difficulties or developmental delays are identified. Such challenges often manifest themselves in subtle ways, including speech delays, feeding difficulties, motor development delays, limited social interaction, behavioural issues, hearing difficulties and visual impairments.

According to her, although some of these signs may initially appear insignificant, their early identification enables children to benefit promptly from appropriate support and facilitates their referral to existing healthcare structures for suitable intervention and care.

The critical importance of nutrition during the early years of a child's life was also highlighted by the Deputy Prime Minister. She recalled that a balanced and age-appropriate diet is essential for brain development, physical growth, the strengthening of the immune system, and the overall well-being of the child.

However, Mrs Navarre-Marie stressed that, beyond public policies and Government programmes, every child needs above all love, patience, attentive listening and a supportive presence. “Achieving a balance between professional and family responsibilities is not always easy, and economic pressures, emotional strain and, at times, social isolation can place considerable stress on families,” she remarked. The Deputy Prime Minister thus highlighted the need to provide greater support to parents, acknowledging that parenthood today comes with numerous challenges.

02 June 2026

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Topics: Health, Others