I-THRIVE

A workshop themed ‘Enhancing the Capacity of Rehabilitation Professionals’ was held in Quang Nam Province on January 15th, 2021, as part of the ‘Interdisciplinary rehabilitation services supporting children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive’ (I-THRIVE) Project.

As part of the conference, 26 health workers of 2 Quang Nam provincial hospitals and 9 district health centers were awarded with the Certificate of Graduation from the 12-month training on Rehabilitation Techniques (Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Physio Therapy).

I-THRIVE project is sponsored by the US Agency of International Development (USAID) with the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) being implementing partner.

Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV) is in charge of realizing one of I-THRIVE’s three objectives, which is enhancing the capacity of rehabilitation professionals at provincial and district levels through short full-time in-service training and coaching.

The trainings were provided via the model of three 12-month courses covering three key areas of Rehabilitation Techniques, which are Occupational therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Physio Therapy, instructed by lecturers from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India), Hue University of Medicines and Pharmacy and Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy.

After one year of hard work, despite the various challenges brought about by COVID-19 and natural disasters, all of the 80 trainees, who are health workers from four provinces of Quang Nam, Thua Thien – Hue, Quang Tri and Binh Dinh have successfully graduated.

Sharing about her experience, Ms. Alang Ep, Co Tu ethnicity, health worker of Dong Giang District Health Center, Quang Nam Province said:

“Before participating in the course, to me, Speech and Language Therapy was a vague concept. Thanks to the 12-month training, I have gained relevant understanding of it, what the basic techniques are, who are the clients, etc. I also enjoy the chance of taking part in clinical practice at three hospitals of Da Nang City, especially working with children. I hope that in the future, I will be able to apply what I’ve learned to helping people with disabilities in my community.”

Speaking at the event, MCNV Country Director, Dr. Pham Dung expressed his pleasure at the results of the training, noting the efforts of the trainees and trainers in overcoming multi difficulties to fulfill the course. He emphasized the importance of developing multidisciplinary approached rehabilitation workforce and services in province and district levels.

The completion of the course marks the beginning of a new phase of I-THRIVE. MCNV and partners are now working together to support clinical practice for the graduates and improving the quality of human resources management in local medical centers./.