UNICEF for
Every Child
Purpose of partnership
Partnering To Creating Awareness and Strengthening Systems for Screening, Surveillance, and Management of birth defects and developmental disorders in the RBSK programmes, focusing on developmental dysplasia of hip and autism spectrum disorders.
Partnership Goals
- Convening stakeholders for enhancing awareness and advocacy for sustainable birth defects and developmental disorders management at scale.
- System strengthening for technical capacity for birth defects and development disorders management, and Demonstration of multi-stakeholder models of management for birth defects and development disorders management.
What we have been doing through partnership
- Establishment of Centres of Excellence for Inclusive Early Childhood Development for capacity building, mentoring, and research in the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Launch and management of an alliance of administration/ businesses/ civil society and development partners contributing towards the agenda of reducing the burden of birth defects and developmental anomalies through advocacy, knowledge management, awareness raising, and resourcing programmes on ASD and DDH.
- Creation of an ‘Experts’ Coalition of professional bodies like IAP/ NNF/ FOGSI/ Indian Psychiatric Association/ The Indian Association of Physiotherapists/ TNAI/ Indian association of clinical psychologists (IACP)/ Paediatric Orthopaedic Society of India/Indian Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology/ Indian Radiological and Imaging Association and others. This coalition will develop knowledge material; SOPs; Guidelines; and provide HR capacity development / supportive supervision / mentoring support for ASDs and Birth Defects (i.e. DDH).
- System strengthening for connected care in district models by selecting one district in each of the three states as the focus district for implementing the strategy to enhance the government programmes for birth defects and developmental delays.
Key Achievements & Goals
The partnership between UNICEF and Divi’s Foundation is advancing inclusive, people-centered health systems for children with birth defects and developmental disorders, in line with 2026 targets. Here’s how we’re making a difference:
Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
Four CoEs established in Chennai, Bangalore, Tirupati, and Trivandrum are leading efforts in training, mentoring, and monitoring for inclusive Early Childhood Development (ECD).
- Cross-learning visits to AIIMS Jodhpur and CDC Trivandrum enhanced technical know-how.
- IDDEA training at SVMC Tirupati strengthened skills in neurodevelopmental disorder management.
Stakeholders Alliance
A multi-sector alliance launched to boost advocacy, awareness, and resource mobilization.
- Kickstarted with the Hyderabad collaboration event (Aug 2023).
- Birth Defect Awareness Month (Mar 2024) reached national audiences.
- Radio4Child workshop engaged 60 broadcasters across 21 states.
- Engagement with corporate leaders through CII and Karnataka coalition meetings furthered funding opportunities.
Coalition of Professional Associations
This growing coalition supports capacity building and service delivery through public–private collaboration.
- Pedicon 2024 engaged 1,500+ paediatricians on inclusive ECD.
- IAP Consensus on Autism reached 15,000+ practitioners.
- Joint sessions at GBACON and Vani Vilas Hospital advanced policy and clinical practice.
State and District Models of Care
Integrated care models are being piloted across districts in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- 13,745 frontline workers trained in Andhra Pradesh.
- RBSK and related programs are being linked to ensure connected, life-course care for children.
The Road Ahead
Together, UNICEF and Divi’s Foundation are building scalable, sustainable models to ensure every child gets the support they need to thrive.
