Stakeholders seek to improve rehabilitation data and services

With rehabilitation proved to be crucial for the wellbeing of people living with a health condition, stakeholders are seeking to expand health services to reach more people in need.
Key partners met recently in Vientiane to review the seven-year National Rehabilitation Strategy (2018-2025) for Laos and seek to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Discussions were aimed at improving the wellbeing of, and access to quality rehabilitation services for, all Lao people living with a chronic or acute health condition.
Stakeholders from across the Ministry of Health and other organisations joined the session to develop performance indicators for the strategy, to better track progress on expanding rehabilitation services and improving care.
Results tracked by the indicators, and the data provided, will inform decision-making about future needs and resources.
Health specialists suggested that rehabilitation is a vital health strategy, core to achieving universal health coverage and contributing to people’s wellbeing. It improves people’s day-to-day functioning, that is, how they move around, care for themselves, think, communicate and socialise.
The 40-person session was chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Dr Khamsay Detleuxay; WHO Laos’ Health Systems Team Lead Dr Yu Lee Park; and USAID Okard Chief of Party, World Education Laos, Bernard Franck.
Worldwide, there are about 2.4 billion people living with a health condition that may benefit from rehabilitation, and in some low and middle-income countries there are fewer than half who receive the services they need.
In a separate event, Lao Health Minister Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, said “Data is critical to informing the future direction of the Ministry of Health on rehabilitation. Reviewing the progress of the Rehabilitation Strategy, developing a monitoring framework and increasing availability of data will help us to plan for the next 10 years, so we can support the growing number of people who need rehabilitation.”
“It will also increase access to quality rehabilitation services, to build the capacity of the health workforce, and to inform the availability of assistive products through a multi-sectoral approach.”   
Meeting participants observed that the event was a positive step towards improving rehabilitation services in Laos and ensuring that the 2018-2025 National Rehabilitation Strategy is effective in improving the lives of those needing care.
The evaluation process includes an annual meeting convened by the Ministry of Health, with participation from the Rehabilitation Technical Working Group and other rehabilitation leaders and stakeholders.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update April 13, 2023)