Comprehensive, accurate, and secured are the keywords that can describe a digital platform, which now can also be accessed via smartphones, for registry and information management for people with disabilities (PwD), launched on June 15 in Vietnam.

The platform is part of the South Korea-Vietnam Mine Action Project and jointly supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

The platform is entirely WEB-based, and the data is centrally stored and managed. With 70% of Vietnamese people owning smartphones, the new applications were developed specifically for such devices, thus enhancing the access to services for the population.

The application is currently being upgraded with additional support functions to further assist persons with disabilities during registration. Information registered in the database will be kept confidential.

UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen visits students with disabilities in Vietnam's central province of Ha Tinh. Photo: Manh Hung

UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen emphasized the importance of promoting innovative solutions to solve issues for persons with disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable population groups in society and have been disproportionally affected by Covid-19.

“The UNDP rapid assessment of socio-economic impacts of Covid-19 on PwD showed that 24% of the respondents did not have a disability certificate, which limited their ability to access the services and assistance they need,” Caitlin Wiesen stressed.

“The availability of this application for registration and case management of persons with disabilities is a commendable initiative contributing to the greater goal of Vietnam to make society more inclusive for persons with disability,” said Cho Han-Deog, country director of KOICA Vietnam Office. 

“We will promote these applications widely, while at the same time continue developing the skills of social workers enabling them to meet the needs of those they serve,” said Nguyen Van Hoi, Vice Minister of MoLISA.

The digital platform has been successfully tested in nine provinces and cities (Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Hue, Danang, Quang Nam, and Vinh Long), with 90,000 persons with disabilities having already agreed to be registered.

It is this experience that has helped make the online platform ready for use throughout Vietnam, and this has become easier with the launch of mobile applications using either iOS or Android operating systems.

“With this application, I can update and access data anytime, anywhere I want. When logging into this application, I can register my information on my disability level with the local authority. For people with impairments in remote areas, using this application saves them from traveling and enables them to update their needs, and receive appropriate support from the government and different projects,” said Cao Ngoc Hung, javelin athlete, Vietnam Paralympic Association.

An estimated that over six million persons (7% of the population) in Vietnam are living with a disability. This digital platform will help persons with disabilities, including survivors from accidents caused by mines and explosive remnants of war, to conveniently provide and access data about their disability; print a disability certificate and thereby receive government assistance; and communicate other needs the individual might have to relevant authorities.