Laos, Vietnam, US experience-sharing to advance disability inclusion

A recent regional learning exchange in Vietnam will advance disability inclusion, thus improving services for people with disability in Laos.
Consisting of more than 16 government officials, the Lao delegation participated in the regional learning exchange visit for rehabilitation practices and disability inclusion in Vietnam from February 27-March 5.

A Lao delegation visits Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.                   --Photo credit Souliya Ounavong, USAID Okard

Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Education in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion through the USAID Okard project, the visit is expected to result in the delivery of better services for people with a disability.
Deputy Director General of the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Mr Xaikham Phannalath, said “The joint visit with the Ministry of Health helped me to recognise how much rehabilitation contributes to achieving optimal functioning for persons with disabilities in their daily life, which is a precondition for their social participation, and supports disability inclusion more broadly.”
“In addition, we learnt how Vietnam uses data collection and ID cards for persons with disabilities to ensure they can access services and benefits provided by the Lao government. With more participation of people with disabilities, Laos will become more inclusive and ensure that no one is left behind.”
He thanked the United States and partners for continued support to improve the well-being of people with disabilities.
The Lao delegates came from the Secretariat of the NCPD, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Department of Health and Rehabilitation, and the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health.
The visit motivated the Lao delegation through deepened knowledge of the practices of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health about the referral pathway for persons with difficulty functioning due to congenital conditions, or after accident, injury or disease, to access rehabilitation services and assistive products and delivery at different levels of the health system.
Lao health officials gained understanding of ways to expand the rehabilitation workforce, the development and upgrade of undergraduate training in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and post-graduate and in-service training in rehabilitation for doctors and nurses, as well as the integration of rehabilitation into Universal Health Coverage and the Health Insurance system.
The Lao delegation also learnt about the practices of Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Department of Social Protection/National Committee on Persons with Disabilities about data collection and registration of persons with disabilities and the issuing and use of ID cards for the determination and provision of benefits, which will soon be implemented in Laos.
The Lao officials also met with members of the Vietnam government’s inter-ministerial committee on persons with disabilities, National Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and the Vietnam Federation on Disability to engage and empower Organisations of Persons with Disabilities to have a greater representative and advocacy role.
A “Pause and Reflect Workshop” will be organised in Laos by the Department of Health and Rehabilitation and the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities Rehabilitation after the visit.
This will consider how the lessons learnt from Vietnam’s practices can be used to improve rehabilitation and social protection systems in Laos, as well as enhance and promote the involvement of persons with disabilities in policy development.

A Lao delegation visited Phu Vang District Hospital, Hue. --Photo Souliya Ounavong, USAID Okard

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update March 15, 2023)