Abu Dhabi Strengthens Early Intervention Ecosystem with the Launch of “Mawj” and a Strategic Tripartite Agreement under the “Year of the Family 2026”

In a step that reflects the vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to build an integrated and sustainable system for supporting early childhood development and empowering families, and in line with the objectives of the “Year of the Family 2026,” Zayed Authority for People of Determination has launched the “Mawj – Early Intervention Center” project. This coincides with the signing of a strategic tripartite partnership agreement with the National Academy for Childhood Development and Royal NMC Istiko Ltd., to develop an advanced model that integrates healthcare, rehabilitation, and family support services within a unified system.

An Agreement Establishing an Integrated System
This agreement represents the foundational pillar upon which the “Mawj” Center is built, establishing a comprehensive institutional framework that defines the roles of the partner entities and enhances integration between the health and social sectors, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services and achieving a sustainable impact at the level of the child, family, and community.

The agreement also includes the implementation of a package of qualitative programs focused on empowering parents, enhancing positive parenting skills, and qualifying caregivers and practitioners in early childhood fields. It further encompasses the delivery of specialized training programs and workshops based on best practices, as well as the launch of awareness initiatives that support early detection and effective intervention, contributing to building a more inclusive environment for children.

“Mawj”… An Integrated Model in One Place
The “Mawj” project represents the practical implementation of this agreement, providing screening, diagnosis, and early intervention services within a comprehensive medical framework in one location. It enables continuous monitoring of children’s developmental progress according to age milestones through an integrated system that offers a single point of contact, facilitating families’ access to all services at the right time and place.

The center focuses on delivering integrated services for children aged 0 to 8 years, including early diagnosis, rehabilitation, psychological support, and family counseling, thereby enhancing healthy development, reducing developmental gaps, and empowering families to play their role as key partners in the intervention journey.

The launch ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; H.E. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi; and H.E. Dr. Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, along with leaders from Zayed Authority for People of Determination, strategic partners, and representatives from community and health entities.

A Strategic Partnership with Clear Roles
The project reflects an advanced model of role integration among the three entities, with Zayed Authority for People of Determination leading the project and providing overall supervision. Royal NMC Istiko Ltd. is responsible for medical diagnosis, health licensing, staffing, and operations, while the National Academy for Childhood Development contributes to policy support, quality standards, and the development of training programs and capacity building.

This integration strengthens the link between healthcare, rehabilitation, and awareness services within a cohesive system that ensures continuity in the child and family journey and enhances the quality of services provided.

A Proactive Model Enhancing Quality of Life
The launch of “Mawj” aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic direction toward adopting a proactive model in service delivery, based on prevention, early detection, and specialized intervention, contributing to improved quality of life and enhanced social inclusion.

H.E. Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at Zayed Authority for People of Determination, emphasized that the project represents a qualitative leap in the development of the early intervention ecosystem, placing the family at the heart of empowerment, in line with the vision of the “Year of the Family 2026.”

He added that investing in early childhood is a fundamental pillar for enhancing quality of life, noting that the integration of efforts among entities contributes to delivering more efficient and sustainable services.

Empowering Families and Building Capacity
In this regard, H.E. Dr. Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, stated:
“This agreement reflects our firm commitment at the National Academy for Childhood Development to advancing an integrated childhood development ecosystem, centered on empowering families, qualifying caregivers, and enhancing practitioners’ competencies. Through the ‘Mawj’ project, we aim to unify efforts and strengthen knowledge exchange to design and implement high-quality training programs focused on capacity building and knowledge transfer, contributing to more inclusive and supportive environments for children of determination, and elevating the quality of services provided in line with best practices.”

Dr. Samira Al Obaidli, Assistant Vice President for People of Determination Services at Royal NMC Istiko Ltd., noted that the project represents a qualitative transformation in delivering neurodevelopmental delay services through an integrated model focused on early intervention and long-term outcomes.

For her part, Ms. Nseibah Al Hammadi, Head of the Comprehensive Diagnosis Center – Al Dhafra at the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, affirmed that the “Mawj” Center provides an integrated model that combines diagnosis, rehabilitation, and family support in one place, contributing to reducing developmental gaps and enhancing the quality of life for children and their families. She added that the center supports family empowerment and strengthens their role as key partners in the intervention journey, achieving sustainable developmental outcomes.

The “Mawj” project further reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading model in designing and implementing integrated early intervention systems based on institutional partnerships and cross-sector collaboration, establishing a development approach that places people first, the family at its core, and quality of life as a sustainable goal.