Consultancy Report on the implementation of Law on Persons with Disabilities in many key areas

Ms. Nguyen Quynh Lien, Head of the Committee for Democracy and Law, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, presented the Report on the impact of policy related to the development of Law on Persons with Disabilities

The program was attended by Mr. Nguyen Hong Ngoc, Deputy Director, of the Department of Social Affairs - Social Committee, National Assembly; Mr. Nguyen Huy Quang, Former Director - of the Legal Department, Ministry of Health; Ms. Nguyen Quynh Lien, Head of the Law and Democracy Committee, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Dang Van Thanh, Standing Vice President, Vietnam Federation of People with Disabilities (VFD); Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh, Deputy Head of Social Policy Department - Department of Social Protection, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; Ms. Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Chief Representative of CBM Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh - Director of ACDC and representatives from central agencies; Departments of the provinces/cities of Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai; organizations of and for people with disabilities; associations/groups of people with disabilities nationwide.

Mr. Tran Quang Dung, Chairman of Ha Nam Disabled People's Association shared about the role of Association organizations in the implementation of policies to support people with disabilities

The Vietnam National Committee for People with Disabilities has issued a Plan to support People with Disabilities for the period of 2022-2023, which includes a plan to amend the Law on People with Disabilities 2010. To strengthen the voice of organizations of the Association of Vietnam and for Vietnamese personswith disabilities in amending the Law on Persons with Disabilities as well as confirm that there is solid evidence on the implementation of the Law on Personswith Disabilities and related policies, 04 Thematic Report on the implementation of the Disability Law to support personswith disabilities have been made. Thematic reports have deeply explored the current situation as well as recommended policy amendments on key issues, including Access to transport infrastructure; Health Insurance Issues; Employment issues and access to information about health facilities for people with disabilities. A summary of these reports will be submitted to the National Committee on Disability to comment on the process of amending the Law on Persons with Disabilities.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Ngoc, Deputy Director, Department of Social Affairs - Social Committee, National Assembly shared his opinion and highly appreciated the thematic reports of the Association of People with Disabilities

Mr. Nguyen Hong Ngoc, Deputy Director, Department of Social Affairs - Social Committee, National Assembly said: “The reports presented by the Association today are extremely elaborate, with clear specific data through real local surveys. This is the basis and document for national management agencies as well as elected agencies in evaluating the implementation of the Law on People with Disabilities over the past 10 years. This is also data for the need to amend or supplement several articles to the Law on Persons with Disabilities.”

At the consultation session, the delegates gave suggestions to improve and supplement the information in the report. This is an opportunity for participants to have their voices heard, and express their views as well as strengthen the role and voice of associations and groups of people with disabilities in the implementation and monitoring of policy implementation related to supporting people with disabilities in Vietnam. In addition, the participants also directly heard the story of people with disabilities sharing about their difficulties and the invisible and visible barriers that exist when they access quality health services.

Ms. Tran Thi Dung, a representative for the Deaf, shared about barriers and challenges for people with hearing and speech disabilities in accessing information and medical examination and treatment services at health facilities

Ms. Tran Thi Dung, a Deaf in Ho Chi Minh City shared: “As a Deaf person, I feel that having a sign language interpreter at the hospital is really necessary. It helps Deaf patients like me to be able to actively present their feelings and symptoms, decide for themselves whether they participate in treatment with that method or not, and ask about how to use such drugs. The only difficulty is the cost of translation, sometimes even more expensive than the cost of medical examination and treatment, and this cost is paid by the Deaf. I hope in the future the hospital can hire interpreters for Deaf patients, so that Deaf patients can receive a medical examination and treatment like other normal people and pay the same cost as them.”

In the future, relevant units will continue to maintain, coordinate, and come up with appropriate solutions to contribute to the implementation of policies to support people with disabilities as well as complete amendments to the Law on People with Disabilities in Vietnam 2010.

Translator: Pham Minh Quang