The Fred Hollows Foundation Australia and New Zealand has initiated a transformative project, focusing on scaling up access to assistive technology and rehabilitation services across the Pacific Islands over the coming years. This initiative, known as ATScale, aims to increase access to tools, equipment, or products that can help people with disabilities successfully complete activities. This is key to maintaining or improving an individual's functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being.
Project Overview
The Foundation engaged Future Partners Associate, (Dr Iobi Batio), to assist Pacific Island governments in crafting high-quality Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the ATScale programme. These EOIs needed endorsement from senior officials and the World Health Organisation (WHO), requiring detailed responses on various aspects such as current policies, funding levels, staffing, service providers, and recent situational analyses. Each response was comprehensive, often exceeding 25 pages, and had to be completed in a tight timeframe.
Overall approach
Dr Iobi, an experienced medical doctor and public health consultant based in Kiribati, played a pivotal role due to his extensive experience and connections within the region's Ministries of Health. His expertise in international development and understanding of donor expectations allowed him to effectively gather and analyse the necessary data. Dr Iobi consulted with key stakeholders in Kiribati and Samoa, compiling insights from government departments and other local sources. His efficient approach enabled the completion of the ATScale EOI template, securing government sign-off amidst significant time constraints.
Client Benefits
With support from Dr Iobi and funding from The Fred Hollows Foundation, the Ministries of Health in participating countries successfully submitted their EOIs on time. This collaborative effort not only met the deadlines but also enhanced the ministries' preparedness for potential project implementation. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and other funders received assurance of the data quality and information provided in the EOI submissions.
What The Foundation had to say
We were impressed by the level of technical knowledge, the ability to interact with stakeholders as well as to bring together information from various sources under time pressures to complete the EOI form to such a high standard. Dr Iobi really knows how to engage with Pacific stakeholders and also to navigate donor processes and forms to ensure that the correct answers for all questions are provided. Dr Iobi’s patient but methodical approach drew the respect of all concerned.
Komal Ram, Senior Pacific Programme Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ).
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