Seminar “Enhancing the information accessibility for persons with hearing and speech disabilities in health facilities & introducing the Sign Language Interpreting Service in hospitals”

Delegates and representatives of organizations attending the seminar

The seminar was attended by Mr. Nguyen Hong Ngoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Social Affairs - Office of the National Assembly; Mr. Nguyen Huy Quang – Former Director, Independent Expert - Legal Department - Ministry of Health; Mr. Dang Van Thanh - Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Association of Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh - Deputy Manager of the Division of Social Protection Policies, Department of Social Assistance, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; Ms. Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Chief Representative of CBM Vietnam; Ms. Ritu Tariyal - Director of Social Sector Development for USAID Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh - Director of ACDC; Master Mohamad Sazali - Chairman of the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf; Ths. Dr. II Nguyen Huong Tra - General Planning Department - Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lam - Campaign Committee to establish the Vietnam Deaf Association.

The objective of the seminar is to help persons with hearing and speech disabilities share their barriers in the medical examination and treatment process. On that basis, the parties discussed and found the best solutions to support persons with hearing and speech disabilities to access information. This is also an opportunity for the parties to make comments on the current guiding documents of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.

Ms. Ann Marie Yastishock – Director of USAID Vietnam shared her speech at the seminar

Speaking at the seminar, Ms. Ann Marie Yastishock – Director of USAID Vietnam affirmed: “Today's event highlights the need to remove barriers and achieve health equity for vulnerable groups including persons with hearing and speech disabilities. Access to information is a basic right of everyone. For persons with hearing and speech disabilities, the use of sign language (NNKH) is fundamental to ensuring this right. This is especially important when it comes to their need for health services. It is our responsibility to work together to make this a reality. Organizations like the ACDC have contributed to the progress that Vietnam has made. ACDC is a shining example of the important value of local organizations as fundamental factors for the development of the country and society. ACDC contributes to the process of monitoring and lobbying the government to develop and implement better policies for the Vietnamese people.”

Ms. Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Chief Representative of CBM Vietnam presented the current situation and solutions in supporting access to sign language interpreting services in medical facilities

Ms. Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Chief Representative of CBM Vietnam also shared: “CBM always puts the legitimate rights of persons with disabilities as its first goal. We are committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and working with stakeholders to build an inclusive society for all. We all see that on the legal basis, the State has binding regulations on the provision of adequate services to ensure that persons with disabilities can access the most basic services, in which Medical services are legitimate needs and interests. But in reality, we all know that there is no formal sign language interpreting service in medical facilities. It is extremely difficult to ensure seamless information coverage. I hope that today's seminar will see more clearly the realities and regulations to advocate for the enhancement of the translation service in medical facilities to ensure the right to receive information for persons with disabilities and so that no one can access information and is not left behind.”

Delegates shared and contributed ideas for the amendment of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment during the seminar

Not only highlighting the difficulties that persons with hearing and speech disabilities face in medical examination and treatment, the seminar also offers an extremely practical solution to solve these difficulties. That is to introduce translation services for persons with hearing and speech disabilities to hospitals and interested individuals/organizations.

Sign language interpreting service in the hospital was born with the goal of increasing the access to information of persons with hearing and speech disabilities when going for medical examination and treatment at medical facilities and promoting the assurance of quality of health care services for persons with disabilities in health facilities. Two forms of interpretation are used: face-to-face and video call via online platforms. Persons with hearing and speech disabilities who need a sign language interpreter for medical examination and treatment or medical facilities that need sign language interpretation for patients can contact to schedule an appointment with an interpreter in the North and the South.

The seminar further strengthened the right of access to information for people with hearing and speech disabilities during medical examination and treatment in particular and access to health and social services in general. After this activity, if there is a need, persons with hearing and speech disabilities can actively contact the sign language interpreting service at the hospital for help.

Translator: Hoang Nhat