STC – to support Renewed Primary Health Care Strategy in Cambodia
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the global health community came together in Astana, Kazakhstan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1978 International Conference on Primary Health Care and the ensuing Declaration of Alma-Ata. The Declaration described the key principles of the primary health care approach: health as a human right; communities driving decisions that influence their health; health care close to where people live; and coordinated efforts across society to create health. The Declaration emphasized the importance of primary care services. Primary care serves as a person’s first point of contact when people seek health care, engaging their family and community context, dealing with most problems, and acting as the fulcrum of the health system, referring patients onward to other services when necessary. None of the principles of the Declaration of Alma Ata have lost their relevance over time.
The primary health care approach remains fundamental to achievement of universal health coverage and to preventing and controlling both communicable and noncommunicable disease epidemics, as well as ensuring health security. But doing so will require transformation of the country’s health centres and primary care services, which currently struggle to provide many of Cambodian people’s health needs, especially for noncommunicable diseases and trauma care. Moreover, primary health care plays a significant role in gatekeeping and clinical responses: identifying and triaging possible COVID-19 cases, making an early diagnosis, helping vulnerable people cope with their anxiety about the virus, and reducing the demand for hospital services.
There are 1,221 health centres in Cambodia, or approximately 1 health centre for every 12,500 people. These health centres provide primary care and are the “workhorses” of the public health system, providing over two-thirds of services in the public sector. The Royal Government of Cambodia has been adding an average of 24 new health centres each year for the last 10 years. Most health centres have services provided by nurses and midwives, with an average of 8 staff per health centre.The Ministry of Health is in process of finalizing the Health Strategic Plan 4 for next 10 years, and the primary health care of is cornerstone for ensuring the affordability, accessibility and availability of quality services to population.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The purpose of this short-term consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in developing a strategy and road map for revitalizing primary health care in Cambodia.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
Under the supervision of the Coordinator, Health Systems, WHO Representative office in Cambodia and in consultation with MOH counterparts, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
- Undertake a rapid assessment of the health care delivery at health centres focusing on previous efforts to strengthen primary health care;
- Draft a primary health care strategy which will enable a more harmonised approach in primary health care planning and service delivery.
- The strategy is expected to address including but not limited to health promotion, prevention and screening (including emerging and re-emerging disease such as COVID-19), early intervention, treatment, support for independent living, management of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, mental illness, and cancer, and lifestyle factors including obesity, smoking, and diet and recognizes the needs of specific population groups, including: parents and children, young people, older people, people living in rural and remote areas.
- Recommend an action plan/road map to implement the strategy;
- Facilitate consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders, MoH and health partners, for collective inputs for the draft strategy for finalization;
- Perform other related duties, as assigned; and
- Submit a technical report at the end of the assignment.
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Method(s) to carry out the activity
- • Desk review of existing materials and information
- • Collaborative works with Ministry of Health
- • Data collection activities from individuals and health practitioners as required.
Output/s
Output 1. Draft primary health care strategy
- Deliverable 1.1 consultancy plan
- Deliverable 1.2 a rapid assessment of the health care delivery at health centres focusing on previous collective efforts to strengthen primary health care.
- Deliverable 1.3 draft primary health care strategy, which will enable a more harmonised approach in primary health care planning and service delivery, through consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders, MoH and health partners. The final draft strategy needs to be taking into account the MoH’s feedbacks
Output 2. Draft road map/action plan along with the final draft primary health care strategy
- Deliverable 2.1 final draft PHC strategy accepted by MOH and WHO
- Deliverable 2.2 a draft road map or action plan to implement the strategy reviewed by MOH and WHO
- Deliverable 2.3 final technical report with all deliverables
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential:
Post-graduate degree in public health, health policy and planning, health science, and/or related fields or equivalent work experiences in health system.
Additional trainings on primary health care
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
At least 10 years of expertise in primary health care policy development and service design with significant experience in public health, health policy development and/or UHC and implementation
Desirable:
Working experience in primary health care in resource-limited settings is an asset.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Essential:
- • Substantial knowledge on primary health care issues and practical solutions, and links to UHC
- • Good writing, presentation and communication skills are essential.
Desirable:
- • Skills for route cause analysis
LANGUAGES
Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) is essential.
Fluency in Khmer is a good asset.
COMPETENCIES
- • Communicating in a credible and effective way
- • Producing results.
- • Fostering integration and teamwork.
- • Knowing and managing yourself
- • Adapts readily and efficiently to changing priorities and demands
- • Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
Access to WHO resources including relevant internal documents, databases, and software will be made available, as necessary and appropriate. A WHO email account will be provided, valid for the period of the contract.
Place of assignment:
The consultant will be able to either be based in the WHO office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia or to work remotely. The Consultant is expected to travel according to MOH’s plan and COVID-19 situation in Cambodia, but this will be discussed with the selected candidate(s). If preferred, A WHO email account will be provided valid for the period of the contract.
Contract dates (subject to confirmation):
- Start date: 30 August 2021
- End date: 24 December 2021
In terms of work effort, it should be noted that one month is equivalent to 20 working days, which corresponds to full time equivalent and 100% equals to 4 weeks a month.
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter including the daily professional rate} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 11 August 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. 135628 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.