In the intricate tapestry of a child’s growth, primary healthcare services emerge as superheroes, playing a dynamic role in empowering children to reach their milestones and unleash their true potential.
From birth to adolescence, children require regular health checkups, vaccinations, and medical attention to provide early detection and prevention of health issues.
According to Lizeth Kruger, Clinic Executive at Dis-Chem Baby City, primary healthcare services are vital for children as they provide early detection of developmental delays that can lead to timely and effective interventions.
“Parents can prevent long-term consequences by taking children to healthcare professionals who know what to monitor during regular check-ups. By accessing primary healthcare services, children receive ongoing support from healthcare professionals who are familiar with their medical history and can identify potential issues early,” says Kruger.
Primary healthcare services provide parents with resources and information to support their child’s growth and development, including nutritional advice and developmental screenings.
Kruger advises the following five ways primary healthcare services contribute to children’s milestones and development from birth to early childhood.
Early detection and prevention of health issues
Regular checkups and screenings are essential for detecting early-stage health problems, including hearing and vision issues, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses. Early intervention can prevent these issues from worsening and ensure the child receives the necessary care to reach their developmental milestones.
Immunisation
Immunisation is essential for children’s health as it helps prevent the spread of diseases and reduces the risk of outbreaks. It plays a vital role in preventing severe illnesses and complications that can result from these diseases. Vaccinations protect children from a range of diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, and polio.
Developmental assessments
Developmental assessments are a crucial aspect of primary healthcare. These assessments evaluate a child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development and assist in identifying developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other issues that may hinder a child’s progress. Early intervention can help address these issues, ensuring that children reach their developmental milestones.
Health education and counselling
Primary healthcare services provide health education and counselling to parents and caregivers. Health education and counseling can help parents and caregivers provide a healthy environment for their child’s growth and development. Parents can learn about healthy eating habits, safe sleep practices, and how to manage their child’s behavior effectively.
Chronic disease management
Primary healthcare services also play a crucial role in managing chronic diseases in children. Chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy require ongoing medical attention. Primary healthcare services provide regular checkups, medication management, and education to parents and children to manage these conditions effectively. Proper management of chronic diseases can prevent complications, improve quality of life, and ensure that children reach their developmental milestones.
