As part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote child well-being and inclusive development, the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) has launched the “Early Detection – Together We Begin” initiative in Abu Dhabi. The project is designed to monitor developmental milestones in children from birth to eight years of age, providing families with early guidance and access to intervention services when needed.

The initiative aligns with the Department of Health—Abu Dhabi’s vision of enhancing healthcare services for children across the emirate. It aims to identify potential developmental delays at an early stage and support children’s health and educational development.

The program starts with a medical evaluation by a pediatrician. If any concerns are identified, children are referred to ZHO’s specialized centers for comprehensive assessments and customized early intervention programs.

Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of ZHO, explained: “The Early Detection Project is part of strengthening coordination between healthcare and educational institutions in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. Through this project, we aim to provide complete support to families by guiding them to first consult pediatricians to confirm their child’s health status before proceeding to specialized assessments at Zayed Higher Organization. We believe that early guidance enhances the child’s opportunity for natural and healthy growth and development.”

He added, “The project’s importance lies not only in early evaluation but also in extending psychological support and family guidance, which helps empower families to make informed decisions about addressing their children’s needs.”

Naseeba Al Hamadi, Head of the Evaluation and Diagnosis Center at ZHO, said: “Early detection is the first step toward appropriate intervention before developmental delay becomes a major obstacle. We ensure that parents first visit a pediatrician to confirm the child’s condition, and after that, we offer them the option of electronic initial screening for preliminary results or scheduling a comprehensive assessment at specialized centers for further evaluations.”