Support in validation of the National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2014-2020 and Package of Essential NCD Intervention for Primary Care
BACKGROUND
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), principally cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, impose a significant burden on health and development in the Western Pacific Region. NCDs are the leading causes of death and disability, responsible for 80% of all deaths in a Region that is home to more than one quarter of the world’s population. In Lao PDR, NCDs are estimated to account for 48% of total deaths in 2014.
According to the national STEPS survey conducted in 2013, among the adult population aged 24-64, 20.0% had hypertension, 18.5% among men and 21.1% among women. Among hypertensives, 29.4% were aware, 18.2% were currently using antihypertensive medication, and 16.7% had controlled their blood pressure. This demonstrated that while there is a significant prevalence of hypertension and low awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension among adults in Lao PDR. Similar figures are shown for diabetes and other chronic conditions as well.
In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care in Low-Resource Settings (WHO PEN), which gives guidance to primary health-care staff working with limited resources. Building on WHO PEN, in 2016, WHO and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Global HEARTS Initiative to strengthen action against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). LAO PEN, a local adaptation of the WHO PEN in Lao PDR, was launched as a pilot project in Champassack province in 2014. Since then, the project has expanded to other provinces such as Vientiane capital, Xayabouly and Loungprabang provinces.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
WHO is looking for an international consultant to support the Ministry of Health, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
1. to review and update the National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (LAOSMAP NCD), 2014-2020;
2. to review and develop implementation plan for Lao PDR Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease (LAO PEN) Intervention in Primary Care;
3. to take the lead roles and responsibilities in coordinating and validating the LAOSMAP NCD and LAO PEN with Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries and development partners in Lao PDR.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
- Reduction of the non-communicable risk factors;
- Enhancement of coverage and quality of cost-effective intervention for early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care;
- Monitor the trend of NCD risk factors to measure progress in NCD risk factors prevention and control and;
- Strengthening governance, accountability and resources for NCD prevention and control;
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Output 3: Review the LAO PEN package and develop an implementation plan of the LAO PEN package
Deliverable 3.1: Support the technical working group established for NCD by Department of Health and Rehabilitation/MOH to review, validate and revise the LAO PEN Package with support from the Ministry of Health, WHO Country Office and WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.
Deliverable 3.2: Coordinate among technical working group and developments partners as needed to organize technical consultation meetings and ensuring comments are integrated and applicable to the Lao PDR context.
Deliverable 3.3: Develop a practical implementation plan of the LAO PEN package
Deliverable 3.4 Perform other tasks as required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: University degree in public health or medicine-related field from a recognized university
Desirable: Medical degree
EXPERIENCE
Essential: Minimum of five years of work experience in public health, noncommunicable diseases, health systems or another related field.
Desirable: Work experiences in NCDs, specifically related to implementation of WHO PEN package; work experiences in developing countries
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Proficient in standard MS Office software applications
LANGUAGES
Written and spoken fluency in English (Read – Write – Speak / "Expert" level)
COMPETENCIES
- • Teamwork
- • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- • Communication
- • Producing results
- • Moving forward in a changing environment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- • Upon finalization of the contract intellectual property of content and products shall revert to WHO.
- • Any data or results may not be shared or distributed beyond the project team member without approval of the responsible officer in WHO.
APPLICATION
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit applications and curriculum vitae in the English language to the following email addresses: < wproungm@who.int > and <wplaohr@who.int> by 22 November 2020.
The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. 117545 and title “Support in validation of the National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2014-2020 and Package of Essential NCD Intervention for Primary Care“ as subject and to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.