National consultant to support the General Department of Preventive Medicine (GDPM) in the development of guidance toward sustaining preventive health services

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICE

A national consultant to support the General Department of Preventive Medicine (GDPM) 

in the development of guidance toward sustaining preventive health services

Background:

The global LHSS project helps low- and middle-income countries transition to sustainable, self-funded health finance systems that support high-performing overall health systems. The LHSS activity in Vietnam will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to advance greater local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control. Led by Abt Associates, the four-year activity will support Vietnam in increasing its domestic financing for HIV and TB services in the context of declining donor funding, using government resources more efficiently, and assuming local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control activities. Specific objectives are: (1) Support the GVN to strengthen its public financial management systems for public sector health and find greater efficiencies in social health insurance (SHI), (2) Increase and improve the efficiency of domestic financing of HIV prevention and treatment services; (3) Strengthen the capacity of Vietnam's supply chain management system; and (4) Transition of TB services into SHI.

Over the past 15 years, the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases has revealed both achievements and shortcomings. These shortcomings include policy-related obstacles and outdated provisions that no longer align with practical needs, requiring revision and supplementation. To address these issues and align with the directives of the Central Party, National Assembly, Government, and Prime Minister, a new law is under development. This law aims to fill legal gaps, enhance preventive measures, and improve healthcare, especially the inclusion of provisions on ensuring financial resources for preventive health.  To date, the GDPM as the focal point department under the MOH leadership, has submitted to the Government a proposal to develop the Disease Prevention Law and proposed its inclusion in the Law and Development Program of the National Assembly in 2025. The intended plan is to hear consideration and feedback on the draft law at the 10th meeting session of the 15^th National Assembly cycle in October 2025, and to pass the draft law at the 11th meeting session in May 2026.

In addition, the GDPM is the lead department for the development of economic-technical norms for medical inspection and preventive health services at public health facilities, including TB and HIV. At this stage, the GDPM has requested focal point department under the Ministry of Health to propose respective services along with economic-technical norms, and professional procedures for these services, totaling 1,548 services.

In alignment with LHSS’s role to support the development of a broader preventive health services package to be delivered through the primary health care network and recommended public services for use with GVN funding,  LHSS will mobilize a national consultant to provide technical support to the GDPM in the implementation of the above-mentioned activities on health prevention including TB and HIV.

Tasks and Deliverables:

Tasks:

• The consultant will work closely with GDPM to support the proactive engagement of VAAC and the National Lung Hospital/National Tuberculosis Control Program in activities which are led by GDPM, including the drafting of disease prevention law, the development of basic health service packages for TB and HIV to be delivered at public health facilities, and the development of economic and technical norms for TB and HIV prevention services.
• The consultant’s specific tasks include the provision of technical review including comments, recommended revisions on the draft law on disease prevention, proposed basic health service packages including HIV and TB, and draft economic- technical norms for prevention services including HIV and TB.
• Track and update the progress of the mentioned activities to inform VAAC, National Lung Hospital/National Tuberculosis Control Program, and LHSS for discussions of technical assistance where relevant.

Deliverables:

• Monthly updates of the work carried out during the month and the plan for the following month, and supporting documents if relevant.
• A final consultancy report.

Location and timing:

The expert's assignment is home-based in Hanoi, with regular consultation with the LHSS team, planned for the period from June to September 2024 for a total number of 40 working days.

Requirements:

• Graduate degree in medicine, public health, or relevant disciplines. A master's degree is an advantage.
• 10 - 15 years of experience working in health and health policies, particularly in the realm of preventive health.
• Good understanding of policies and regulations on preventive health.
• Ability to work effectively withthe Ministry of Health, health institutes, hospitals, and units working on preventive health programs.
• Good communication skills
• Language requirement: Vietnamese.

Management of the assignment

All deliverables must be reviewed by the LHSS Health financing specialist and approved by the LHSS Technical director. The consultant can direct questions to the LHSS Technical director throughout the consultancy.

To apply, please send your CVs and an application letter to the following email: [email protected]

Deadline: May 30, 2024.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.