USAID Provides Funding to Enhance Health and Socio-Economic Supports to People with Disabilities in Danang

In September 2008, VNAH received a three-year grant from USAID for a project aimed at improving health services and socio-economic support for people with disabilities in Danang.  Over the course of three years, the project will benefit approximately 6,600 persons with disabilities and 1,500 relevant service providers in the health and social sectors.  The project’s three main objectives are:

1. To establish a model of strengthened rehabilitation services that includes center-based and community-based services and referral systems;
2. To improve the quality of life and social inclusion of persons with disabilitie; and
3. To improve the capacity and resources of local service providers to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

The key implementing partners in the project are the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) and the Department of Health.  Additionally, VNAH will work with Binh Dan Hospital and Danang Sanatorium, and also closely with Save the Children Alliance, East Meet West Foundation, and UNICEF in order to coordinate and share resources and technical expertise.

After this banner year of implementation, the project has already provided services to 615 beneficiaries with disabilities. Services included rehabilitative service, physical therapy, corrective surgeries, assistive devices, referral to jobs, and micro-credit. In addition, the project provided capacity-building training for 430 service providers from social and health sectors.

Other significant accomplishments included:

• Renovated and furbished 3 district health centers
• Completed a two-round disability survey/need assessment in 2 districts
• Completed a 150-page training manual for Community-Based Rehabilitation workers (CBR)
• Set up a network of 71 CBR workers and provided them training
• Supported local government partners to coordinate their first annual provincial and district plans and budgets for PWD
• Created 24 jobs for beneficiaries with disabilities
• Built 25 new houses and renovated another 20 houses belonging to persons with disabilities.