Healthscape

In 2025, the Child Development Centre (CDC), Thiruvananthapuram, achieved a significant milestone by being declared a “Centre of Excellence in Child Adolescent Development & Research, Teaching, Training, Clinical and Community Services, and Centre of Excellence in Neuro Developmental Disability”.

This prestigious recognition marks a major advancement in the Government of Kerala’s efforts to strengthen services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Established in 1987, CDC has grown into a premier institution providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Its services span early identification, diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up for children with developmental delays and disabilities. The Centre brings together expertise from paediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, clinical psychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and special education, ensuring a holistic approach to care.

The declaration of CDC as a Centre of Excellence was formally announced during the DISHA–2024 National Conference, organized in collaboration with UNICEF, underscoring its national-level recognition and leadership in the field. The selection was based on CDC’s consistent contributions to clinical service delivery, capacity building, research, and policy support. Over the years, the Centre has played a key role in developing standardized protocols for early screening and intervention, implementing community-based rehabilitation programmes, and supporting District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) across Kerala under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).

As a Centre of Excellence, CDC has been entrusted with expanded responsibilities. These include serving as an apex referral centre for complex neurodevelopmental cases, providing advanced training and mentorship to healthcare professionals across the State, and facilitating evidence-based research in neurodevelopmental disorders. The Centre also plays a vital role in strengthening coordination among the health, education, and social justice sectors to ensure comprehensive care and inclusion for children with special needs. Additionally, it contributes to policy formulation and programme implementation at the State level, enhancing the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of services.

This achievement not only reinforces CDC’s leadership in child development and neurodisability but also significantly strengthens Kerala’s capacity to deliver integrated, equitable, and high-quality care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, setting a benchmark for similar institutions across the country.