Sustainable and Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Severe Disabilities in Binh Dinh and Quang Nam Provinces (Hold My Hand)

The project, implemented by the Institute of Population, Health and Development (PHAD) in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), targets 2,000 persons with severe disabilities in Binh Dinh and Quang Nam, Vietnam. The project has two specific objectives: to deliver home-based care for 600 persons with severe disabilities in Binh Dinh and Quang Nam province, and to strengthen 10 interdisciplinary rehabilitation service units at provincial and district hospitals in Binh Dinh province. The target beneficiaries include rehabilitation staff of 10 rehabilitation units in district/provincial hospitals in Binh Dinh, persons with severe disabilities in one district of Quang Nam and three districts of Binh Dinh, caregivers, and home-based care collaborators. During the first year, PHAD and CRS planned to complete five milestones, but due to the delay of project approval, they were only able to fully complete one milestone and almost complete three other milestones. The project received official approval from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) in March 2019 and signed memoranda of understanding with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health. PHAD and CRS also signed a sub-grantee agreement to define roles and responsibilities for project implementation and collaboration. The project has supported a total of 4,474 persons with disabilities in Binh Dinh and Quang Nam through the collection of needs for rehabilitation and home-based care services. Additionally, 50 health staff and other sector participants from various organizations engaged in project activities through workshops, baseline assessment training, and group discussions. The project has made significant progress in establishing partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, and has begun to implement project activities. However, challenges remain, including the need to complete outstanding milestones and ensure the sustainability of project activities. PHAD and CRS have collaborated closely to start up the project after obtaining approval from VUSTA to implement the project at project sites. The project has received support from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, and has begun to make progress in achieving its objectives. However, the project still faces challenges in completing outstanding milestones and ensuring the sustainability of project activities. The project's geographic focus is on Binh Dinh and Quang Nam provinces in Vietnam, with a target of 2,000 persons with severe disabilities. The project aims to develop a sustainable model to support rehabilitation service provision, with a focus on gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities. The project has made significant progress in establishing partnerships with relevant stakeholders and has begun to implement project activities. The project's timeframes are from August 15, 2018, to August 14, 2021, with a reporting period of August 15, 2018, to September 30, 2019. The project has received funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through a fixed amount award (FAA) agreement. The project's budget and financial management are overseen by PHAD and CRS, with regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effective use of resources. The project's implementation details include the establishment of partnerships with relevant stakeholders, the collection of needs for rehabilitation and home-based care services, and the provision of training and capacity-building activities for rehabilitation staff. The project also aims to strengthen 10 interdisciplinary rehabilitation service units at provincial and district hospitals in Binh Dinh province. The project's recommendations include the need to complete outstanding milestones and ensure the sustainability of project activities. The project also recommends the establishment of partnerships with relevant stakeholders and the provision of training and capacity-building activities for rehabilitation staff.