Centre for Assistance to Persons with Mental Disabilities – PORAKA Negotino

Total budget: 5,600,000 MKD

Implementation period: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2026

Specific theme: Social Inclusion

Partners:

Association for Environmental Protection and Improvement EKO-ŽIVOT, Kavadarci
Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities, Veles

Constituents:Families and individuals with disabilities, organisations for people with disabilities, and medical institutions. The stakeholders include people with disabilities, caregivers, health workers, community organisations, and government bodies.

For the project supported by Civica Mobilitas:

Confronting challenges and stigmatisation

ACTION DESCRIPTION

Navigating the complexities of addressing health disparities for people with disabilities in our society requires a precise understanding of the local context. This part explores the relevance of the project to the unique needs and limitations in the specified planning region, as well as throughout society, especially in the health sector. Furthermore, it examines the strategic alignment with existing European Union (EU) initiatives, emphasising synergy and avoiding duplication to ensure a harmonised and impactful approach to improving health outcomes for people with disabilities across society, starting at the local level.

AIMS AND OUTCOMES

General aim:Improved healthcare for people with disabilities at all three levels of healthcare.

Specific aims:

Educated medical staff for the acceptance and treatment of people with disabilities.
Established priority for people with disabilities in medical institutions at all three levels of healthcare.
Financial relief for people with disabilities in accessing healthcare.

OUTCOMES

Developed an Accessibility Platform.
Increased number of people with disabilities receiving regular healthcare from trained doctors: over 90 people with disabilities from the three municipalities are users of regular healthcare.
Established a protocol for the acceptance and treatment of people with disabilities in the process of providing healthcare.
Reduced costs for families of people with disabilities when using healthcare services: 70% lower costs for the medical treatment of people with disabilities.
Developed guidelines for families of people with disabilities.
Educated medical staff for the acceptance and treatment of people with disabilities.
Raised public awareness among medical staff regarding the proper treatment of people with disabilities.
Submitted an initiative for changes to the Law on Social Protection.
Submitted an initiative for changes to the Law on Healthcare.
Increased public awareness regarding the importance of treating people with disabilities.
Organised a one-day Regional Event in one of the partner cities: “Festival of Accessibility”.

ACTIVITIES

Development of an online platform.
Implementation of three round tables – families and organisations of persons with disabilities – versus medical workers (doctors and other medical personnel) – issues and experiences.
Creation of educational videos.
Preparation of a proposed protocol for the inclusion and treatment of people with disabilities in the healthcare process.
Preparation of info boards for the inclusion and treatment process of people with disabilities in medical institutions.
Creation and distribution of “Accessible Doctor” stickers (R1.2).
Developed handbooks for families of people with disabilities for utilising the “Accessible Doctor” service.
Conducting three educational sessions to familiarise medical personnel with the protocol for the inclusion and treatment of people with disabilities (R1.4).
Creation of social media profiles (Facebook and Instagram) for the “Accessible Doctor” platform.
Public opinion survey (via online questionnaire) on issues faced by families of people with disabilities, as well as by medical personnel in the treatment process of people with disabilities.
Conducting a survey through direct contact with families of people with disabilities in the three municipalities regarding issues and possible solutions in their medical treatment.
Analysis of the results obtained from the online questionnaire and survey and preparation of a public opinion report.
Round table for presenting the results from the online questionnaire and survey.
Two round tables – families and organisations of persons with disabilities – versus social workers and representatives of local social protection institutions – addressing the issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities – opportunity to create an additional Fund for medical care for persons with disabilities.
Submitted initiatives for amendments to the Law on Social Protection and the Law on Healthcare.
Round table with organisations and MPs in Parliament for amendments to the Law on Social Protection and the Law on Healthcare.
One-day regional event in one of the partner cities: “Festival of Accessibility”.