Mapping The South Asia Regional Rehab project experience

Project ‘Towards Disability Inclusive Development Through a Strengthened rehabilitation Sector in South Asia’ 3 year project funded by Europeaid. June 2011 – May countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Orissa (India) and Sri Lanka

Why mapping? Lack of analysis of the physical rehab situation in any of the countries Lack of information → limited ability to inform policy Demand from country Ministries for information and data to inform policy decisions What will it be used for? To identify needs and gaps to be taken forward into a collective action plan / strategy by physical rehabilitation stakeholders

Example of the problem… Situational Analysis of Physical Rehabilitation Professions in South Asia (4 countries) AfghanistanBangladeshIndia (Orissa)Sri Lanka PTOTPOPTOTPOPTOTPOPMRPTOTPO Is there a professional association? YNYYYYYYYYYYY Is the association registered? YNYYYNYYYYNYY Is the profession recognised by Govt. YNNYYNYYYYYYN Is there a council? NNNNNNNNYYYYN Does it have any international affiliation or membership? (WCPT/WFOT/ISPO/I RF) YNNYYNYYYN/AYYN What is the minimum required level of training 1 Year Certi ficate N ISPO II 2 Yr Diplo ma ISPO II 2 Yr Diplom a ISPO III MBBS + 2 Yr Diplom a Does the strategy include physical rehabilitation? YNoYN (Under process)

Explanation: The slide shows that the situation of HR in physical rehab is varied and inconsistent between and within countries In only 1 country (India) are all 3 main rehab professionals recognised In Bangladesh, P&O are trained to an internationally recognised standard but not nationally acknowledged Analysis can support policy dialogue

What kind of mapping? Sectoral analysis – macro level. Overview at present time of the rehab sector Answering some ‘what’, ‘how much’ and some ‘why’ questions about physical rehab Not a directory of geographic map of rehab services Not a primary research exercise Intended to highlight key gaps for action

Framework for analysis Literature review (including FATO, Access to Services) and feedback from previous analyses in Nepal and Ethiopia carried out. First draft of mapping based on 6 ‘building blocks’ of WHO HSS Human resource Service delivery Leadership & governance Financing Information Products & technologies

Framework for analysis – cont’d Due to time and resource constraints this analysis is limited to 3 ‘building blocks’ Human resource Services Policy & governance …in future, if funding and capacity permit we will review other blocks to perform a full sectoral review

Challenges Few previous examples of such mappings in physical rehabilitation Lack of standard indicators in rehab no way of objectively assessing sufficiency of services or HR(quality, quantity, distribution) without standard indicators or recommended benchmarks High expectations and demand e.g. from national line ministries

Opportunities To strengthen dialogue and relationships with key stakeholders in the physical rehab sector To contribute to definition and understanding of the physical rehab sector in each of the countries To engage stakeholders in a process of analysis, action and change

Roles - who is doing what? HI regional team - design framework and coordinate the process Consultant - designs questionnaire, facilitates ‘kick off’ meeting in 4 countries HI country teams – coordinate stakeholder groups and compile answers Consultant prepares final analysis HQ - advises and validates throughout process

Role of the stakeholder group The stakeholder group comprises key state / national physical rehab stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, service providers, CBR organisations and DPOs The group will help answer the mapping questions; both questionnaire and qualitative discussion in the workshop Result: buy in to the mapping process, product and ensuing action plan

Key stages of the mapping process Prepare scope & recruit consultant - Done Preparation of survey questionnaire - in progress In country ‘kick off’ meetings with stakeholder groups of physical rehab stakeholders Data collection and follow up (country level) Compilation and analysis Sharing of report findings in national workshop Acting on findings – national level action plans

Next steps: February - April Stakeholder meetings planned in February Submission of answers for survey information to consultant (compiled by country team sent to consultant) in March Consultant completes analysis of information for 4 countries in April Consultant completes final report by May

Next steps: May onwards…. Review of mapping findings by HI regional, HQ and country teams Discussion of findings and implications of mapping at country, regional and HQ level – where do we want to go from here? Planning of national workshop at country level Host national workshop at country level. Discuss findings of mapping, identify gaps and priorities for action

Mapping - where next? Key gaps and priorities for action in physical rehab identified in the national workshop These priorities for action to be taken forward by a core group under guidance of HI into an action plan…… Outcome: prioritised action plan and a mobilised physical rehab stakeholder group with ‘buy in’ to the collective way forward….