Greater Chennai Corporation’s early intervention center to offer free therapy for kids

Greater Chennai Corporation launches free therapy center for children with developmental disabilities, with plans for two more locations.

To provide free specialised care for children with developmental disabilities, an ‘early intervention center’ was inaugurated in Kamarajar nagar, Melpatti Ponnappan Street, Perambur under the Tondiarpet Zone of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Wednesday.

Two more such centres are set to come up — one on C.P. Ramasamy Road and another in Thiruvanmiyur. Based on demand and the availability of experts, the initiative will be expanded to more Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), according to a GCC official of Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital.

The Vyasarapadi facility, established at a cost of ₹1.29 crore under GCC Capital Funds, is located in a prominent yet quiet locality , an official from the GCC Public Health Department said. The centre will serve children aged between two and seven years with early developmental challenges in hearing, speaking, seeing and walking. It is equipped with a sensory integration room and offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, hydro therapy, sand therapy, psychological therapy, and tactile therapy. These services will help children improve their sensory and motor functions and support their overall development, said Regional Deputy Commissioner (North) Katta Ravi Teja.

“In private facilities, a single session can cost up to ₹2,500 per day. Here, we are offering the same services free of cost to the public,” he added.

Revathi, parent of a four-year-old living nearby, said, “I am a working woman and had to set aside time to take my child to Stanley Hospital for therapy. It was a taxing commute. This new facility close to my home is a welcome initiative. The waiting hours are long as it is the first day, but we hope that will be sorted out in the coming days.”

Councillor Sarbajaya Das said a lift will be installed within the next 10 days. “Students from the kindergarten school under my ward have already begun attending therapy sessions here” she added.