The National Rehabilitation Committee Meeting
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Rehabilitation is a key health strategy for the entire population addressing the broad needs of people who have difficulties in functioning across the human lifespan, not just for persons with disabilities.
On 1 September 2022, Dr. Sanong Thongsana, Deputy Minister of Health, chaired the National Rehabilitation Committee Meeting conducted by the Department of Health and Rehabilitation (DHR) with the support of USAID Okard. The focus of the Rehabilitation Committee was to discuss how to increase availability and quality access to assistive products for people that experience difficulties in functioning. DHR, the Center Medical of Rehabilitation (CMR), representatives from MOH departments, central and provincial hospital management, and the University of Health Sciences, participants discussed the need for a clear policy, a prioritized list of assistive products, and an effective system to provide them.
DHR and CMR shared their rehabilitation work plans for 2022-2023 highlighting the important activities to strengthen the health system on rehabilitation. Increasing the number of health professionals working on rehabilitation was raised as a key issue, and how training on essential rehabilitation interventions will be provided to health professionals from primary health care facilities by the CMR Continued Professional Development Facility supported by USAID Okard.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Sanong Thongsana reinforced the importance of increasing rehabilitation for health systems strengthening in Laos through provision of assistive products, training health professionals on rehabilitation, and equipping health facilities with human resources and necessary infrastructure.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion, improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
Household and Personalized Financial Management training in Kham District, Xieng Khouang Province
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QLA CBID Facilitator work with beneficiary on Household and Personalized Financial Management training
“This is my first bank account, it is an easier process than I thought. Now, I could put my money in a safer space and yet the CBID team also trains me how to save up and when I am in need of using money then I will have it with my savings bank account.” – Ms. Saythong, 24, Phatharng Village, person with difficulties in seeing and USAID Okard beneficiary.
On 23 August 2022, the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Facilitators from the Quality of Life Association (QLA), together with the District Labor and Social Welfare Officers conducted a Household and Personalized Financial Management training for 23 people. This training is part of our Income Generation Activities (IGA) strategy to support people with developing small business ventures to increase their household income. Financial Management is an important skill for developing a profitable and sustainable business, as well as enabling the communities we work with to build more resilience to catastrophic events that force out of pocket expenses or the sale of valuable assets. The day culminated with each person opening a bank account to manage their income.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
What are Self-Help Groups (SHGs)?
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SHG Tha and Ban 11 Aug 22 – Photo by QLA
“It is good to know that I am not the only one who faces difficulties with my disabilities, I would like to thank my community and the CBID team who facilitated this activity. I got a chance to express my feelings and listen to one another who have the same life experience as myself, and the best part is that we can exchange our experiences and solutions to overcome any barriers” – Nouthida, SHGs participant from Tha Village.
What are Self-Help Groups (SHGs)? SHGs are informal groups of people who come together to discuss and address their common problems, which are faced by persons with disabilities and their families such as social exclusion, lack of awareness of their rights and inclusion. One important characteristic of SHGs is the idea of mutual support – people helping each other. SHG members are supposed to meet regularly in order to find reassurance and support one another with mutual life experiences and develop actions for improving their quality of life and empowering each other.
From 11-12 August 2022, the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Facilitators from the Quality of Life Association (QLA), together with the District Labor and Social Welfare Officers and local authorities conducted the SHG activity “Meet & Greet for exchange ideas and lesson learnt within persons with disabilities and caregivers” in Ban Village and Tha Village, Kham District, Xieng Khouang Province. It is through the involvement of groups that they can begin to develop their awareness and the ability to organize and take action and bring changes in the community.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
Vet training and consultation in Kham District, Xieng Khouang Province
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Vet training and consultation 1-5 Aug 22 – Photo credit QLA
From 2-5 August 2022, the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Facilitators from the Quality of Life Association (QLA), together with provincial and district technical staff from the Agriculture and Forestry and Labour and Social Welfare, teachers from Integrated Technical Vocational College and village vet volunteers in Xieng Khouang, attended a Veterinary Workshop in Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang Province. The workshop was part of a series of technical activities led by consultants to improve project services for Livestock/Veterinary and as a result enhance animal raising productivity and business outcomes.
The workshop purpose was to present technical findings collected from desk review and field work, provide initial set of recommendations to related stakeholders and brainstorm with participants the ways and means to implement the recommendations. During the workshop, participants from PAFO and DAFO reviewed the existing training materials, selection criteria of vet volunteers as well as key technical recommendations. The last day of the workshop was mainly used for implementing sample coaching section for village vet workers (VVW) and beneficiaries. VVW and beneficiaries took part in real time practice on administering animal vaccinations, how to identify a suitable area to establish a pig pen, and how to properly take good care of the animals including feeding.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
#WhatisPeertoPeersupport?
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Peer to peer support in Kham – Photo by Vanglee
Persons with disabilities are likely to experience psychosocial issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression, when experiencing difficulties in functioning and dependency on caregivers. Likewise, caregivers can also experience similar psychosocial issues due to stress and burden of providing care in the absence of social services support. Psychosocial support is an important and essential intervention to support persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Peer to peer support is one type of intervention as part of community Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) pilot project. Peer supporters are experts by experience and are able to relate to, connect with and support individuals who are going through challenges in a unique way because of their own lived experiences and through this process build personal capacity of that individual so they can effectively advocate for their own needs and empower them to take control of their lives.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
The official handover equipment for rehabilitation and functional exercise in Kham District Hospital, Xieng Khouang Province
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Mr. Michael Ronning hands over rehabilitation equipment and functional exercise area in Kham District Hospital received by Dr. Khamsay Detleuxay
On July 25, 2022. USAID Country Representative to Lao PDR, Mr. Michael Ronning, Director General Department Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health Dr. Khamsay Detleuxay, joined the official handover equipment for rehabilitation and functional exercise in Kham District Hospital, Xieng Khouang Province. This assistance will enable doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists to provide quality rehabilitation services to all people with difficulties in functioning in Kham and neighboring districts.
REFRESHER WORKSHOP ON MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (MHPSS) in Savannakhet Province
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DHR Mental Health Refresher Training in SVK 25-28 July 2022 – Photo by Pui USAID Okard
Mental health is key to our well being and an important issue around the world, including in Laos. That is why we are partnering with the Lao government to support mental health as part of our work with persons with disabilities.
From 25-28 July 2022, the USAID Okard project and the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR), Ministry of Health conducted a refresher workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) with health professionals from four districts: Xayphouthong, Ardsaphungthong, Songkorn, Outhomphone and provincial hospital in Savannakhet Province. The refresher workshop focused on enhancing the participants’ compassionate communication skills and their ability to identify and provide initial counseling to rehabilitation service users with mental health, neurological, and substance abuse (MNS) conditions that require referral to a specialist. The training used the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Program, which aims at scaling up services for MNS patients.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
Refresher workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Xieng Khouang Province
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DHR Mental Health Refresher Training in XGH 3-7 July 2022 – Photo by Pui USAID Okard
Mental health is key to our well being and an important issue around the world, including in Laos. That is why we are partnering with the Lao government to support mental health as part of our work with persons with disabilities.
From 3-7 July 2022, the USAID Okard project and the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR), Ministry of Health conducted a refresher workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) with health professionals from four districts: Phoukoud, Koun, Phaxay, Kham and provincial hospital in Xieng Khuang Province. The refresher workshop focused on enhancing the participants’ compassionate communication skills and their ability to identify and provide initial counseling to rehabilitation service users with mental health, neurological, and substance abuse (MNS) conditions that require referral to a specialist. The training used the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Program, which aims at scaling up services for MNS patients.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy and Action Plan “Reaching for a better life”
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The beliefs and attitudes about disability are individually experienced but often socially constructed. Persons with disabilities are significantly affected by the way disability is understood, explained within society, and how people behave that result in fear, stigmatization, discrimination, deny persons with disabilities their dignity and abilities, and hinder effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. To address these barriers, USAID Okard aims to catalyze change by exploring what communities know, how they think, believe, and decide to act and behave towards persons with disabilities and their families.
On 30 June 22, USAID Okard organized the official launch of the Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy and Action Plan, titled “Reaching for a Better Life.” This document has been developed based on evidence from the literature review and compiles and analyzes several testimonies shared by a diverse representation from the Lao community. Therefore, this document will guide and support the USAID Okard Activity and stakeholders to influence and shift people’s attitude, perceptions, and behavior towards disability inclusion.
Apart from the launch, USAID Okard sub-recipients who implement SBCC interventions updated their progress and reflected on their achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. The highlight of the workshop was also to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the community role models towards disability inclusion and drive to make positive changes for a more inclusive community.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.