Dong Nai province in Vietnam has approximately 154,000 persons with disabilities, including nearly 30,000 persons with severe disabilities, who need a continuum of care, rehabilitation, and social support to perform their daily life functions. Addressing these needs requires strong policies, effective programs, and partnership between government, NGOs, and other concerned stakeholders. To support this effort, USAID’s Disabilities Rights Enforcement, Coordination and Therapies project helped the Dong Nai Department of Health to develop its first provincial action plan for rehabilitation services.

After several consultations and revisions, the annual action plan, aimed at improving rehabilitation service capacity and support to persons with disabilities, was approved by the Dong Nai government on May 26. The plan highlights ten concrete actions, including the development of rehabilitation facilities and human resources, direct assistance and services for people with disabilities, community-based outreach, technical supervision, and support from provincial hospitals to district facilities. Action plan targets for 2020 include support to at least 600 persons with disabilities, training for 120 health providers, and strengthening the capacity of the Dong Nai Children’s Hospital to improve rehabilitation services for children with disabilities.

So What? USAID’s support for Dong Nai’s first rehabilitation action plan will enhance coordination and resources needed for improving the province’s capacity to deliver rehabilitation services for people with disabilities and the public at large.