World Occupational Therapy Day (WOTD) 2019 held in Hai Duong city is one of the sustainable outcome of the project on Development of Occupational Therapy Education in Vietnam funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and the Medical Committee of Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV).

WOTP Day is a platform to strengthen the ties between training institution and hospitals, as well as between doctors and patients.

WOTD was initiated by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) in 2010, aiming to promote and celebrate this special profession.

In celebration of the WOTD 2019, in Hai Duong city, in the afternoon of October 24, a series of activities has been held at the Hai Duong Medical Technical University and Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospitals, helping strengthen the connection between training institutions and hospitals as well as between doctors and patients.

Together with HCMCity Medical University, Hai Duong Medical Technical University (HMTU) is one of the two institutions that receive huge supports from MCNV. In over the last three years, MCNV has been playing a significant role in helping the University prepare to come up with its Bachelor Programme in Occupational Therapy (OT), via training core team of lecturers, designing curriculum, etc. In August, Vietnam's first batch of Bachelor students in OT graduated from HMTU. Two of them are now working at Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital.

In celebration of the WOTD, a special conference on OT was held at HMTU. During the 2-hour session, lecturers and students had chance to gain insights of OT's different pespective, including Activities of Daily Living (ADL) model, OT in dealing with Schizophrenia, depression, OT in pediatrics, etc.

The presentation were delivered by three lecturers who have been studying in Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India) and senior Occupational Therapist from Netherlands, illustrated with vivid examples from real-life case study.

Meanwhile, in Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital, various outdoor activities were held, creating a cheerful and friendly atmosphere for patients and their family members.

Over sixty patients at different ages, in different health condition, with the help of doctors, medical technicians and students, had contributed to the making of colorful pictures; presenting ideas on environment protection, telling stories of how OT has changed their lives; planting trees to create more green space in their 'second home'.

WOTD in the Hospital was concluded with wheelchair race which was filled with laughter and applause and a heartwarming gift-granting ceremony to poor patients.

* Moments to remember of WOTD celebration:

Lecturer Nguyen Khac Tuan introduces to students about OT concept in HMTU.

Occupational Therapist from the Netherlands, Ms. Anne Kuijs talks about OT in pediatrics.

Patients present about environmental protection, based on paintings co-created by them.

Tree planting activities brings smiles to patients and bring green color to the hospital.

Wheelchairs race filled with laughter. Activities in WOTD help boost the mood of patients, enhancing trust and tighten the bonds with the hospital.

Acting General Director of Hai Duong Rehabilitation hospital, Dr. Nguyen Thi Lieu present gift to a poor patient.