SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF VANUATU HEALTH MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (VanHMIS) (with focus on vaccination data management and AEFI surveillance)

BACKGROUND

In 2013, the Vanuatu Ministry of Health decided to establish a new electronic health information system utilizing the District Health Information System v2.0 (DHIS2). The system became operational in late 2014 and has gone through a series of upgrades to enhance the availability of health information for decision-making at all levels of the health system. The system was originally called the Vanuatu Public Health Information System 2 (VanPHIS2) but has been rebranded following recent extensions and is now called the Vanuatu Health Management Information System (VanHMIS).

To further guide and manage the development of digital health in Vanuatu, the Ministry developed the Vanuatu Digital Health Strategy (2019-21). This strategy provides a roadmap for the expansion of digital health technologies in Vanuatu and the use of DHIS2 as the national reporting repository for health information in the MoH. In parallel, the HIS unit recently developed a new core indicator framework for reporting purposes and designed a series of new routine, facility-based data collections in order to report against this framework and other key M&E instruments.

Support is now needed to configure the VanHMIS to accommodate these new data collections, integrate and expand several stand-alone disease-specific information systems and clinical systems into the national VanHMIS platform, and create indicators, dashboards and information products to enhance the accessibility and use of information for decision-making. Additionally, the need is to strengthen national immunization systems, and introduce fit-for-purpose digital solutions and support for COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH) with the expansion and development of the Vanuatu Health Management Information System (VanHMIS) database, which utilizes the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) software. In particular, the consultancy will assist the MoH with system configurations to accommodate a range of new data collections and linkages, to integrate/expand several stand-alone disease-specific information systems into the national VanHMIS platform, to improve accessibility of information for end-users, and to enhance the user-experience when using the system.

A consultant is required to support and strengthen Vanuatu’s response to the pandemic and the health information systems to support it.  With the need to also prioritize the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and to put into place an immunization registry/ system and to institute sustainable data management practices, Vanuatu is introducing electronic vaccination module as part of the DHIS2 software.

The specific objective of the consultant is to support the Ministry of Heath’s CIO to support the country’s COVID-19 preparedness, outbreak management and vaccination data management and other unidentified priorities that may have a negative impact to the success of achieving its objective. The focus is on integrating digital solutions for COVID-19 vaccine delivery into national DHIS2-based immunization systems and strengthening these systems for sustainable impact across all aspects of vaccine preventable disease interventions. The consultant will also be expected to assist the CIO with the HIS Program and other management, and technical duties as required.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Working with the WHO HIS Technical Officer and assisting the Ministry of Health HIS team the contractor will address the following outputs:

• • Finalise the COVID-19 Surveillance and Contact Tracing Tracker module for Vanuatu MoH and support any upgrades, modifications and integration into the Vanuatu production server;
• • Upgrade the current VanHMIS version of DHIS2 from 2.29 to the most recent version at time of implementation, plus fix user groups and update sharing settings;
• • Establish the encrypted server for hosting tracker modules (which may include personally identifiable health information);
• • Design new data collection forms in DHIS2 (VanHMIS) for the health centre/dispensary form, the hospital form, the EPI form, the schools-based form, and the inventory form (Includes all metadata configuration; linking of old and new data elements for health centre/dispensary forms; linking/movement of completeness);
• • Import population data for creation of indicators;
• • Create indicators and reporting outputs for all new data collections including standard reports, dashboards/visualisations and scorecards;
• • Finalise the Malaria Tracker module;
• • Finalise the TB module for aggregate data, importation of excel case register, and develop a tracker system;
• • Develop the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) tracker module in VanHMIS;
• • Configure VanHMIS to import and report minimal pharmacy dataset from mSupply;
• • Configure VanHMIS to import and report coded discharge data from the hospital patient information system;
• • Create a simple Master Facility List table within the database that tracks the status of facilities (e.g. open/closed, designation etc.) which can be used to calculate key indicators;
• • Support MoH to create brief user manuals/SOPs and technical guides for all modules in VanHMIS;
• • Remotely support three separate training workshops for selected MoH staff on (a) the TB module, (b) the EPI module & (c) the Malaria Tracker module. This will include preparing training materials and conducting an online, informal “training of trainer”s to enable MoH personnel to deliver the workshops; and
• • Support ongoing configurations of the DHIS2 Electronic Immunization Registry (nominal registry including AEFI surveillance) and plans to integrate into the Vanuatu MoH production server. The registry should serve for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out but also covering other routine vaccinations in the future.
• • Provide overall maintenance and training support for DHIS2 implementation during the contract period.

Planned timelines:

The individual or team will be required to deliver the following outputs over a twelve to fifteen-month period. (The contract will commence as soon as possible but will depend on internal administrative processes and the availability of the consultancy team).  It is planned that the bulk of the work can be completed in 2021 but this will be dependent on the availability of MoH counterparts given the current demands faced with responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Start date:  May 2021
• End date:   Up to 12-15 months

Technical Supervision:

• Responsible Officer:  Michael Buttsworth/Katri Kontio/Technical Officers and Dr Eunyoung Ko (CLO, WHO Vanuatu)
• Manager: Dr Akeem Ali Acting Representative/Director, WHO DPS

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The incumbent will work as a member of the Vanuatu Country Liaison Office team, with close collaboration with the Suva-based Health Systems Team and Pacific Health Security and Communicable Disease (PSC) team in the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS). Work will be conducted remotely due to current COVID-19 restrictions with possible trips to Vanuatu when traveling is possible.

The methods to carry out the work will include remote support for other PICs from home while travel restrictions are in place and in-country support as required; meetings with health partners including ministries of health, WPRO, JIMT and Clusters and other WHO partners/contractors as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

• • Public Health and Health information technology/Digital Health expert.  

EXPERIENCE

Essential:  

• • At least 5 years’ experience in the design and maintenance of databases using the DHIS2 software. At least 5 years’ experience in health information systems, public health and database design. Experience working in Pacific Island countries is preferable.
• • Strong business (clinical and public health) and digital/ technical acumen with demonstrable track record of success.
• • Experience working in resource poor setting and remote locations

Desirable:

• • Previous experience in resource poor settings in public health, health information systems, health informatic management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• • Previous international experience in digital health or similar role.
• • A medical science, public health or related health professional background is desirable.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• • Excellent communication skills;
• • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills;
• • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision; and
• • Ability to work under pressure.

LANGUAGES

• • Written and spoken fluency in English is essential;
• • Written and spoken fluency in one of the UN languages. Knowledge of French and/or Bislama would be an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

Must be able to provide ongoing support, training and capacity building to MOH and WHO in DHIS2 database development and maintenance.

Must be: (1) a competent communicator; (2) capable of meeting deliverables on time; and (3) adaptable to changing contexts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of Assignment

The consultant(s) or consulting company will work remotely due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions and will use a range of communication tools and strategies to coordinate with MoH and WHO counterparts

Travel (travel dates to be determined)

The Consultant is not expected to travel at least in 2021.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 5 May 2021. 

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. 126261 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.