Prostheses, orthoses, and other assistive devices improve the rehabilitation and self reliance of persons with disabilities. However, these devices are not provided under Vietnam’s national health insurance system. Many persons with disabilities are not able to afford them, resulting in negative health outcomes, a reliance on family members, and barriers to participation in their communities. This February, USAID’s Inclusion 1 project reached a two-year milestone by providing assistive devices to over 1,900 persons with disabilities in three provinces which were heavily sprayed with Agent Orange. USAID partnered with health care professionals in these provinces to conduct assessments, prosthetic and orthotic fittings, and provide guidance on their use.
USAID’s provision of assistive devices supports persons with disabilities to improve their health and independence, facilitating their participation in society. By engaging local health care professionals, USAID strengthens their capacity to sustain this work in the future.
