The inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) is a priority across all projects funded by the Australian and New Zealand Governments, and this is to ensure widespread access to services and increased opportunities for PWDs to earn an income and contribute to the economy.
As part of the effort to build capacity around service delivery within the disability sector, Callan Connect was established to support the Callan Services Network for Persons with Disabilities (CSNU), the largest disability service provider in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Callan Connect is an initiative funded through the Australia Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP) to coordinate with development partners, the government, and church agencies to address gaps in the health sector, with its outreach programs primarily focused on persons with disabilities.
Earlier this year, Callan Connect visited Malasang in North Bougainville to conduct screenings for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), the screenings focused on individuals with visual impairments, utilising the U-SEE device –a tool used to determine the correct prescription for eyewear.
With the U-SEE device, the process is simple, and the patient selects their own prescription.
Across three site visits, more than 225 PWD were screened (160 female & 65 male) and 192 corrective glasses were issued (137 female & 55 male).
Apart from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB), Callan Connect also operates in Western Province and across the Kokoda Track catchment areas.
The initiative provides disability screening, diagnosis, and referrals, along with interventions for quality ear, eye, physical, and other specialist care.
Callan Connect will also arrange venues for surgeries, coordinate travel, accommodation, and meals, and manage local transport and technical assistance for visiting specialists.
The capacity development component aims to extend the reach and quality of CSNU’s service delivery and provide skills and knowledge to PWD and stakeholders at project sites.
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