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On October 2, 2022, members from the United States House of Representatives, led by Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, visited the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) of the Ministry of Health and the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Center. During his visit, he learned more about COPE’s support to CMR in producing assistive products for persons with disabilities, as well as the role played by the Quality of Life Association, which provides assistance to persons with disabilities through the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) model in accessing quality health services, economic opportunity and social inclusion with USAID Okard funding.

13 health and rehabilitation professionals are ready to train more than 150 doctors and nurses from provincial and district hospitals. These 13 core trainers just completed a six-week training on essential rehabilitation services at Chiang Mai University, supported by USAID and World Education Laos. Equipped with their new pedagogical and training skills and rehabilitation knowledge, they are now working with USAID Okard to develop and deliver in-service training, which they will then provide to 150 doctors and nurses across Laos. This will make these much needed life-saving services cheaper and available to access for communities at every district, regardless of cause.

Evidence-based practice is the foundation of rehabilitation to optimize the patient’s outcomes. Rehabilitation professionals from the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) in Vientiane, participated and co-facilitated the training on measurement of functioning with support from USAID Okard. Improving persons’ functioning means the success of rehabilitation services This training is part of the USAID Okard support to the CMR to implement the National Rehabilitation Strategy 2018-25 and to align rehabilitation practices in Laos to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative. The monitoring and on site coaching has been planned to make sure that this activity has been smoothly started. This important data will ...

USAID Okard is profoundly impressed with the outstanding performance, dedication and evolution of our Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) teams from Quality of Life Association (QLA), Xieng Khouang and Association for Rural Mobilization and Improvement (ARMI), Savannakhet since the beginning of the project. From 12 – 15 September 2022, USAID Okard invited the CBID teams to a four-day training to pause and reflect on what they have accomplished so far, review implementation of the current work plan when supporting the communities we work with to conduct their Income Generation Activities (IGA), to develop capacity of CBID teams in improving participation of persons with disabilities in project ...

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 ...

On September 2, 2022, The Senior Congressional Staff member and Advisor to the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee of the United States of America, Mr. Timothy Rieser visited the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) of the Ministry of Health and the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Center. Timothy Rieser had an opportunity to observe modern rehabilitation equipment supported by USAID, and learned about the continuous professional training facility equipped by USAID that will increase capacity for more than 150 primary healthcare professionals nationwide on essential rehabilitation interventions. Timothy Rieser also enjoyed interacting with Thoummy Silamphan, a UXO survivor who is now working with ...

“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 ...

“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 ...

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 ...

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 ...