Samoa Mobility Device Service Project summary 2015  

Motivation Australia Development Organisation | P.O. BOX 17, Willunga, SA 5172 | +61(0)8 8556 6703 | Incorporated Association: A39386    

The Samoa Integrated Mobility Device Services (SIMDES) project is a four year (2014 - 2018) collaboration between the Samoa National Health Service (NHS), NOLA (Nuanua O Le Alofa) and Motivation Australia. This project is working to create consistent, equitable and sustainable access to appropriate mobility device provision for women, men, girls and boys with a mobility disability in Samoa. This project is part of the larger Samoa Disability Programme (SDP). The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) are the coordinating Ministry and focal point for disability for the Government of Samoa and have ownership of the SDP. The SDP and this project are funded by Australian Aid. This project represents a tremendous opportunity for all stakeholders; with broad support from the Samoan government; a brand new purpose-built facility; training of new professionals and potential for new career pathways in allied health service provision for Samoans; and importantly, enhanced opportunities for people with a mobility disability. The project embraces the idea of integrating services for wheelchairs, supportive seating, Prosthetics & Orthotics (P&O) and walking aids into one mobility device department.

The Mobility Device Service (MDS) project is focused on: Services: Establishing a comprehensive, Mobility Device Service at Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) hospital in Apia. Community networks: Increasing the role of community-based GOs and NGOs in mobility device service provision. Sustainable training: Improving the quality and sustainability of training in mobility device service delivery; and increasing the quantity of clinicians and technicians trained in mobility device provision. Equitable access: Increasing the awareness of and equity of access to appropriate mobility device service provision for women, children and people from rural areas. Project partners  The Samoa NHS is responsible for the delivery of health services in Samoa, and is the primary partner for this project. The Mobility Device Service is housed in a new purpose built building in the grounds of TTM hospital in Apia.

NOLA is the National Disabled People's Organisation and the civil society focal point for people with disabilities. Motivation Australia is a not for profit disability and development organisation that works in partnership with local organisations to enhance the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities in the Asia Pacific region, including rural and remote Australia. Progress by November ‘15 The MDS began providing wheelchairs and walking aids for adults in November 2014. In June 2015 services for children began; and the MDS commenced collaboration with TTM to implement a diabetic foot clinic. 335 people have received a mobility device and 1,565 appropriate mobility devices have been procured or donated. In early 2016 the provision of Prosthetic & Orthotic services will begin. Contact To make an appointment for the service please contact: 21212 Ext. 683 Email: mds@nhs.gov.ws

For project information please contact the Project Manager, Ray Mines: raymines@motivation.org.au or visit: www.motivation.org.au