MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
The Zayed Authority for People of Determination has launched a landmark early intervention centre designed as a one-stop hub for children’s developmental support, bringing together healthcare, rehabilitation, and family services under one roof.
Developed in partnership with the National Academy for Childhood Development and Royal NMC Istiko Ltd., the Mawj – Early Intervention Centre aims to enable early detection, streamline access to care, and support families from the earliest stages of a child’s development.
The tripartite agreement defines the roles of partner entities, strengthening coordination across the health and social sectors to ensure high-quality services and sustainable impact for children, families, and the wider community.
The Mawj project provides screening, diagnosis, and early intervention services in one location. It enables the continuous monitoring of children's developmental progress according to age milestones through an integrated system offering a single point of contact.
Designed for children aged 0 to 8 years, the centre’s services include early diagnosis, rehabilitation, psychological support, and family counselling. The goal is to enhance youngsters’ development, address developmental gaps, and empower families as key partners in the intervention process.
The launch ceremony was attended by Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi; Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi; and Dr Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, along with officials from the Zayed Authority for People of Determination and strategic partners.
Among the three entities collaborating on the project, the Zayed Authority for People of Determination is leading and overseeing implementation. Royal NMC Istiko Ltd. is responsible for medical diagnosis, health licensing, staffing and operations, while the National Academy for Childhood Development supports policy, quality standards, training programmes and capacity building.
Hamda Mubarak, Operations Manager at the Mowj centre, said that with Royal NMC on board, teams of experts and specialists will be supporting “a fully integrated medical system” for the facility. “[This ensures] precision in operations and effective intervention from the very first moment,” she said.
She noted that at the centre, multidisciplinary assessments are completed within four hours, covering medical, psychological, speech, occupational, and physical therapy domains, followed by a comprehensive treatment plan.
There is also a clear focus on family engagement, Mubarak said, noting that this is especially important during the initial period of denial that may follow a diagnosis. In such cases, counselling is provided before and after the assessment as a core part of the intervention process.
Nseibah Al Hammadi, Head of the Comprehensive Diagnosis Centre - Al Dhafra, emphasised that families are offered support right from a child’s birth, guiding them on how to interact and nurture their kids.
To ensure a holistic understanding of a child’s needs, each one is assessed across multiple domains, including medical, social, educational, psychological, and functional aspects.
Early intervention significantly improves developmental outcomes and reduces long-term challenges, Al Hammadi said, stressing that a delayed diagnosis may lead to secondary complications and increased burdens on families and service systems.
The Mawj centre’s launch aligns with Abu Dhabi's strategic direction toward a proactive service model based on prevention, early detection, and specialised intervention.
Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at Zayed Authority for People of Determination, said the project represents a qualitative leap in developing the early intervention ecosystem, placing families at the centre of empowerment in line with the Year of Family.
He added that investment in early childhood is a key pillar for enhancing quality of life, noting that integrated efforts among entities contribute to delivering more efficient and sustainable services.