50: Disability and Millenium Development Goals (MDGS) 4 and 5: Experience of Canada/Bangladesh Interprofessional Project on Disability, Maternal and Child Health (IPODMCH). Issue 6 (1st June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Onyett, H; Jalovcic, D; Peat, M; Taylor, V
• Is Part Of: Paediatrics & Child Health. Volume 19:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: e53
• Page End: e54
• Publication Date: 2014-06-01
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1093/pch/19.6.e35-49
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1205-7088

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Persons with disabilities were not mentioned in the eight MDGs. The Interprofessional Project on Disability – Focus on Maternal and Child Health is a bilateral Canadian/Bangladesh Canadian Government funded training/advocacy/policy project, that explicitly includes disability in maternal and child health programming. OBJECTIVES: To contribute to the achievement of MDG 4 (reduce child mortality) and 5 (improve maternal health) with a rights based focus. DESIGN/METHODS: From the baseline study regarding maternal/child health and disability (MCHD) in five Bangladesh project districts, a total of 77 women and men in two annual cohorts were selected by 10 MCH and six disability/rehabilitation organizations to participate in 'Train the Trainer' workshops at a rehabilitation center that works for inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream society. Interdisciplinary participants included Physicians, Physio/Occupational/Speech Therapists, Midwives, Nurses, Family Health Visitors, Administrators. The bilingual Bangla/English curriculum module was also produced in Braille for blind participants. Interactive programmes included presentations and videos highlighting evidence based activities to prevent/reduce disability and maternal, /neonatal/child morbidity/mortality. Team activities developed knowledge translation skills to prepare them to share knowledge and learn from experiences of families with a disabled member, and also with advocates, policy makers to identify, provide appropriate health, education, social services for disability prevention and rehabilitation in large and remote communities. Canadian Faculty presented workshops at the Training Institutes for Physio/Occupational/Speech Therapists, Nurses, Midwives and the National Institute of Population and Research Training. A Distance Education Disability Certificate was also offered. RESULTS: In teams, participants implemented highly evaluated workshops for over 2000 MCHD providers/participants in Dhaka and in the regions. Workshops/activities for the 2013–2014 cohort were modified based on initial feedback. After the second cohort MCHD Train the Trainers program in September, 2013, the Bangladesh participants and disability advocates developed/presented an excellent interdisciplinary District Workshop. They included the practical hands on core curriculum to demonstrate birth management, basic neonatal care. They also used Bangla videos related to Child Survival and Development. Representatives from ten governmental and non-governmental organizations participated. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative, inclusive, rights based interprofessional collaborative project addressing disability issues within MCH programs at service, education and policy levels can contribute to achieving MDG 4 and 5.