As a first-time mother, Ms Siti Aisha Begum, 26, was ready to welcome any help she could get.
Hence, when she was introduced to the KidStart programme at a routine check-up at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) during her pregnancy, she did not hesitate.
At 20 weeks pregnant, she enrolled in the nationwide early childhood development programme, meant to support children aged up to six from lower-income families.
Besides learning the ropes of diaper changing and how to bathe a baby, Ms Siti, who is not working at the moment, also received support from a nurse assigned to her when she was infected with dengue and had thyroid issues during her pregnancy.
The nurse provided advice and helped to explain medical jargon, said Ms Siti, whose daughter is now about four months old. “She also helped me to track my baby’s milestones while I was pregnant, so I didn’t have to go to the doctor over small things. I could just ask her.”
KidStart, which offers help in areas such as monitoring child development, nutrition and parenting strategies, hopes to reach out to more families at the prenatal stage, when mothers are expecting, like it did with Ms Siti.
The programme has supported more than 6,200 children since it started as a pilot in 2016.
KidStart chief executive Rahayu Buang said that one area it wants to do more in is to encourage more families and children to enrol at the prenatal stage. Most of the 6,200 children had joined KidStart after they were born, she noted.
This story is from the November 16, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 16, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Dutch chef Sergio Herman opens Le Pristine in Singapore
If the zing of kaffir lime in the mussel antipasti, or the chilli king crab on the pizzette, or the soursop in the gambero rosso seem somewhat familiar, that would be Dutch chef Sergio Herman putting a little bit of Singapore into his food.
SINNER'S 'SPECIAL' YEAR-END TOP SPOT
First Italian to finish the year as No. 1 will clinch 7th title of 2024 if he beats Djokovic
Kiwis get down to business quickly
BARCELONA - New Zealand beat Britain in the opening America's Cup races on Oct 12, with the holders setting the pace in the early skirmishes with the challengers in the first-to-seven contest.
"'SPORTSWASHING' CRY AS NBA PLAYS IN UAE"
But commissioner Silver disagrees that its presence in a key market helps hide abuses
SailGP matures with new tech, stiff rivalry
NEW YORK - As SailGP approaches its fifth season of racing, this professional sailing league is finally flying on its own two foils.
WALLER-LANE IN GUINEAS UPSET
Private Life steals the show after inch-perfect front-running ride in Caulfield 3YO feature
Fintech exec began developing her investing acumen as a teen
Her initial better-safe-than-sorry approach has given way to a higher risk appetite now
Betting apps are more toxic than you think
Betting companies all publicly espouse their commitment to responsible gaming. They help fund programmes to combat addiction and give customers the option to exclude themselves from betting or to enrol in \"cool-off\" periods that keep them from logging in for a day or two.
Revival in demand for private resale homes
Volume of transactions in Jan-Aug up 11% from same period a year ago, data shows
How to plan for retirement when you are on your own
For Ms Sara Zeff Geber, the \"aha moment\" came a few years ago as she listened to a friend recount all the tasks she was taking on to help her increasingly frail 91-year-old mother.