Evaluation of a Philippine community based rehabilitation programme

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Philippine Department of Health launched a Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBRP) in 1991.
• The CBRP aimed to provide disability prevention and rehabilitation services, particularly in underserved rural areas.
• Seven years post-implementation, an audit was conducted to assess the program's adherence to its planned objectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the actual implementation of the World Health Organisation's Community Based Rehabilitation Programme in a pilot area.
• To compare the planned services of the CBRP with the services actually delivered.
• To determine the effectiveness of the CBRP in meeting the needs of people with disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Audit methodology was employed to assess program implementation.
• Data collection involved record reviews, in-depth personal interviews, and focus group discussions.
• The study focused on one pilot area in Rosario, La Union, a rural district in Luzon.

Main Results:

• The Community Based Rehabilitation Programme was found to be implementable as planned when properly organized and managed.
• The program successfully met the rehabilitation needs of people with disabilities in the pilot area.
• The audit confirmed the program's effectiveness in delivering disability prevention and rehabilitation services.

Conclusions:

• The Community Based Rehabilitation Programme offers a simple and cost-effective model for disability services.
• The CBRP is particularly beneficial for rural areas with limited access to rehabilitation facilities.
• Effective organization and management are crucial for the successful delivery of community-based rehabilitation.