National team to assess the transition of TB drugs into the social health insurance scheme

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Recruiting a national team to assess the transition of TB drugs into the social health insurance scheme

I.        BACKGROUND

The global USAID 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, in using government resources more efficiently, and in 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) Integrate TB services into SHI.

According to the Government’s decision, the funding for TB drugs was switched from the state budget to the social health insurance (SHI) scheme in 2022. In order to prepare for this change, in 2020, the project worked closely with the National TB Program (NTP) to develop a SHI TB transition roadmap with detailed activities for each phase of pre-transition (2020-2021), transition (2022-2023) and the post one (2024-2025). Since the start of providing SHI TB drugs in July 2023, approximately 160,000 TB patients across the country have received SHI TB drugs at nearly 4,500 health facilities, with around 120 billion VND for drug costs reimbursed by the SHI fund by November 2023.

LHSS in collaboration with the NTP will conduct an assessment of transitioning SHI TB drugs into the SHI scheme. This assessment will evaluate the preparation for the SHI TB drug transition to meet requirements for TB drug provision through the SHI fund, analyze achievements, challenges, and recommendations during the delivery and reimbursement for SHI TB drugs, and specify gaps and/or prioritized activities to ensure the sustainable financing for TB program during the post-transition.

II.     OBJECTIVE AND TASKS

2.1.          Objective

This assessment aims to answer the following questions:

• How was the transition prepared during the pre-transition phase? To what extent was the preparation appropriate and adequate?
• How was the transition implemented during the transition phase? What were the achievements and challenges? To what extent did these achievements meet the expectations of the NTP and relevant stakeholders? What are further improvements needed?
• Which issues need to be addressed during post-transition?
• What are the experiences and lessons learned for the SHI transition for second-line TB drugs?

The intended aspects to be assessed are based on but not limited to the SHI TB transition roadmap, as follows:

• Pre-transition (2020-2021) with a focus on:

1. The issuance of policies and guidance on the preparation and implementation of SHI TB drug provision and reimbursement,
2. The process of SHI TB drug procurement and supply chain management,
3. SHI integration for the eligibility of TB treatment health facilities to provide TB drugs using the SHI fund.

• Transition phase (2022-2023):

1. SHI TB drug management, including drug supply, utilization, reallocation, and reporting,
2. The provision and reimbursement of SHI TB drugs, including (i) the change in TB drug delivery and treatment quality, (ii) patient management and overall program management, (iii) reimbursement and copayment issues,
3. The second cycle of SHI TB drug procurement for the 2024-2025 period,
4. M&E mechanism and system.

• Post-transition (2024-2025) and beyond focus on:

1. Financial sustainability for the TB program after transitioning into SHI.
2. Procurement options for second-line TB drugs using the SHI fund.

2.2.          Tasks

The assessment team will work closely with the NTP and LHSS to conduct the assessment. The details are as follows:

Preparation of the study

• -      Design a research protocol to meet research objectives. The protocol must include a detailed methodology, data collection tools including a pilot plan, and a proposed timeline for milestones.
• Prepare relevant documents to obtain ethical approval for the assessment if needed.
• Recruit and train data collectors and data collection supervisors.
• Pilot the tool, revise and finalize the tool, and provide refreshing training for data collectors if needed.
• Make a field trip plan and logistics arrangement for data collection.

Data collection

• Prepare data collection guidelines and a data security plan.
• Provide technical and logistic support for data collectors.
• Ensure the quality of data collection, informed consent if any, and compliance with the data security plan.
• Supervise and monitor field staff to ensure the quality of the data collection process.
• Ensure quality data is collected as planned and stored in accordance with the data security plan throughout the process; oversee data entry to ensure quality and security.

Data Analysis and Report Writing

• Conduct data analysis, discuss with the NTP and LHSS to agree on the key findings, and outline results.
• Produce the assessment report, and discuss with the NTP and LHSS the finalization of the report.
• Prepare presentation and present the report as required by the NTP and LHSS.

III.  DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The assessment team will start their assignment at the beginning of March and is expected to have the final report by the end of June 2024 with deliverables as follows:

IV.  REQUIREMENTS

4.1.          Qualification requirements

For team leader

• An advanced degree (minimum Master's) in public health, health social science, health sociology, or relevant disciplines
• At least 10 years of experience in leading and managing evaluations and research, particularly in public health and TB prevention and control sector.
• Understanding of SHI policies and health system strengthening is preferred.
• Skills in data analysis, report writing, and presenting
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and as a team leader.
• Language requirement: Vietnamese and English

For team member(s)

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health economics, sociology, or relevant disciplines
• 3 – 5 years of experience in conducting studies, research, evaluation
• Skills in data analysis and report writing
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team.
• Language requirement: Vietnamese and English

4.2.   Equipment

The consultants use their own computers and equipment as necessary to carry out the assignment.

Contract duration: from March to June2024.

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

Deadline: March 4, 2024

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.