When strategising for impact, collaboration plays a crucial role. QASA is building strong collaborative relationships to benefit its members
In our ongoing efforts to be more effective for our members and to further our cause, it has become clear that collaboration – across our sector, within our environment, and with service providers – is absolutely essential.
This month, QASA is proud to send a delegation to the Southern African Spinal Cord Association (SASCA) biannual conference. Not only will we be represented with an exhibition stand, but we’ll also contribute through several plenary presentations.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with health professionals in the rehabilitation sector is critical, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made.
One of our key initiatives is the Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP), which we established and now operates under the SASCA banner. This panel of volunteer experts dedicate their time to developing best practice guidelines in bladder and bowel management – an area crucial to the health and wellbeing of individuals with spinal cord injuries. We are deeply grateful for their expertise and commitment.
Our collaboration with Coloplast continues through the Access to Health project, a research initiative focused on promoting best practices and disseminating vital information about intermittent catheterisation in bladder management to our members.
The Bags of Hope project, another partnership with Coloplast and CE Mobility, enables us to support newly rehabilitated individuals with spinal cord injuries by providing essential resources and information to guide them on their journey ahead.
We are also finalising a working relationship with the Road Accident Fund (RAF), which will grant us direct access to the relevant decision-makers.
This is a critical step toward ensuring effective service delivery for RAF beneficiaries with spinal cord injuries – many of whom are currently underserved. We are hopeful this partnership will bring about much-needed improvements.
Additionally, we’re in the final stages of negotiating a memorandum of understanding with a service provider responsible for assisted passenger services at airports.
This will ensure proper training for personnel who support travellers with disabilities from curb to curb by equipping them with the necessary knowledge, compassion, and safety awareness.
QASA is a proud member of the South African Disability Alliance (SADA), an affiliation that keeps us at the forefront of lobbying and advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Moving forward, we aim to broaden our collaborative efforts to reach more service providers and join forces with advocacy organisations that specialise in human rights.
Collaboration is king, and we are making meaningful strides. We welcome your ideas and guidance as we continue on this path.
