Specialised, accessible rehabilitation support for Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar
Above: Hassan (right) suffered a stroke in 2021, and is now receiving rehabilitation support at the Camp 4 health post, supported by AHP through partners Save the Children and Humanity & Inclusion. Photo: Rubina Hoque Alee/Save the Children
Hassan* is a middle aged Rohingya man who fled horrifying violence in Myanmar and took refuge in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, in 2017. Since then, he has been living in a camp with his wife, their three sons and a daughter. Like many others, Hassan worked in site construction in the camp to earn some money for his family.
Unfortunately, Hassan suffered a severe stroke in 2021. The resulting brain injury left Hassan bedridden for more than a year.
“I had strong convulsions and fell ill suddenly. When someone tried holding me, they struggled to cope with the pressure of my convulsions and eventually gave up. I never imagined that I would be able to walk and stand up again,” Hassan remembers.
During his recovery, Hassan’s family was unable to transport him to the hospital for therapy as it was far away from his home. Influenced by neighbors who encouraged him to get help, Hassan went to a local shaman. After spending time and money there and still not being healed, he reached out to Save the Children’s Community Health Workers and with their support, he visited the Camp 4 Health Post for the very first time in March 2022.
The health post is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh.
"The doctor here advises me to exercise daily. In addition, I received some exercise gear. I have almost fully recovered now by utilising them and keeping up my usual exercise regimen," Hassan says.
Hassan is not the only camp resident in need of help. According to a 2019 study authored by the Christian Blind Mission and the Centre for Disability in Development, 17% of families in Rohingya refugee households living in camps have a temporary disability due to injury primarily brought on by gunshots, shrapnel, fire, or landmines during their exodus from Myanmar. 12% of families have a family member with a permanent disability. Most elderly people and people with disabilities reported being unable to access assistance to manage their condition. People with functional impairments have limited access to many services, including toilets, water sources, and different parts of the camp. They also face problems travelling long distances to healthcare and distribution centers.
Above: Hassan suffered a stroke in 2021, and is now receiving rehabilitation support at the centre. Photo: Rubina Hoque Alee/Save the Children
Considering the need for healthcare and rehabilitation services, Save the Children (SC) is including people with disabilities in its health intervention strategy. According to Ariful Islam, technical specialist for Save the Children’s Health Program, after a thorough needs assessment in Camp 4, the health team discovered 24 individuals with impairments in the catchment areas needing support and assistive devices.
When the project first started focusing on people with disabilities, patients were referred to the Humanity & Inclusion (HI) centre for specialised support like physiotherapy and rehabilitation. However, even after counselling, project participants would rarely reach out for assistance due to their reluctance or inability to travel the long distance to the specialised centre.
To solve this, the Save the Children health team reached out to ask if Humanity & Inclusion colleagues would instead visit the Camp 4 health facility periodically. Through strong collaboration and partnership, HI’s team began to offer services twice a month at the health post, forming a new Rehabilitation Hub.
Recognising that some people with disabilities would still struggle to travel to the Health Post, the SC health team transported people from their homes on a stretcher, aided by volunteers. This is how Hassan made it to the centre to receive treatment.
Above: Hassan undertaking rehabilitation exercises. Hassan suffered a stroke in 2021, and is now receiving rehabilitation support at the health post. Photo: Rubina Hoque Alee/Save the Children
Through the Rehabilitation Hub, HI has been able to offer camp residents a variety of assistive devices based on their needs. Additionally, SC’s Psychosocial Counsellor provides therapy to patients.
Based on the assessment provided by HI, Hassan received a lumbar corset belt to help manage his back and waist pain. As Hassan experienced extreme pain when lying down, he was provided with a plastic chair and a mattress. Being able to sit in a chair is also helping Hassan’s circulation and coordination, minimising the risk of a fall.
To assist his recovery, Hassan was also given a soft ball to improve fine motor skills and to increase the strength and dexterity of his hands. Hassan was provided with soft ball exercises to help stimulate the brain and to promote its ability to rewire itself.
Hassan received treatment from HI at the SC health post a total of six times. He is now able to stand and walk by himself, thanks to the exercises and support, and his own determination.
SC’s Health Post in Camp 4 was established at the beginning of the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar in 2017. Since then, thousands of vulnerable Rohingya people have been supported with lifesaving medical assistance by the team of dedicated staff and volunteers. The health post’s work is supported through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.
*Name has been changed