Manipal: The Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University signed an MoU with Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV), a leading NGO in Vietnam, to establish and develop occupational therapy program in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese delegation including ministry and two university officials were in Manipal on Tuesday and Wednesday to work out details of the five-year program. The project is funded by USAID and involves two leading government universities in Vietnam, Hai Duong Medical Technical University, Hai Duong (North Vietnam) and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City (South Vietna).

Five students from Vietnam are in the process of completing their bachelor and master program in occupational therapy at School of Allied Health Sciences here. On completion they qualify to become occupational therapy teachers.

In addition, the Department of Occupational Therapy will provide the expertise and technical support to design the curriculum and commence undergraduate program in the two Vietnamese universities. The project is endorsed by the Vietnam government. Dr Sebestina Anita Dsouza, Head of Department, Occupational Therapy is leading the project. She said that the MoU provides opportunities for student and faculty exchange and an opportunity to strengthen the rehabilitation efforts in Vietnam
Occupational Therapy is a specialty profession in rehabilitation that supports people with disability to resume their life roles, participate in society to their maximal extent and improve their quality of life.

It involves training for functional independence, prescribing, fabricating and training in use of adaptive aids, home-safety assessment and training, environmental modifications, work retraining, etc. Occupational therapists work with people across all age-groups including both physical and mental conditions and is in high demand in India and abroad.