Policy Review of Dengue Prevention and Control Strategies in the Philippines

The World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines is searching for an institutional partner (led by an international expert) to provide strategic recommendations for the prevention and control of dengue in the Philippines 

BACKGROUND

Dengue has been recognized as a public health concern, both globally and nationally. In 2022, WHO listed dengue as a potential threat among ten diseases for 2019 based on the reported outbreaks of the disease in many countries. Based on the 2015 Global Burden of Disease study, the global incidence of dengue increased from 32.7 million in 2005 to 79.6 million in 2015. The global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically with about half of the world's population now at risk. 

In the Philippines, there were 17,233 dengue cases reported as of 1 October 2022. This is higher by 191% compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021 which is 59,514 cases. Reported dengue cases were highest in Central Luzon with 34,347 reported cases followed by the National Capital Region with 18,638 cases. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the reported dengue cases were males. The age of reported cases ranged from less than one year to one hundred seven (107) years old with a median of 13 years old. Most of the affected age group was 5-9 years of age. CFR target should be <1 and decrease annually by 0.1%. For this year, 2022, our target is 0.2% while our CFR as of 1 October 2022 is 0.3%.

The Department of Health has the 4S strategy to prevent and control dengue in the country. These are Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying only in areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak. DOH encourages all communities and school settings to search for all water-holding containers and other breeding sites of mosquitoes to be destroyed every 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon at least once a week (in consideration of the life cycle of mosquitoes) referred to as the “4 o’clock habit”, and was incorporated into early morning schedules as pre-class activities, as well as last day of class activities as a clean-up effort during Fridays. In case of water-holding containers/areas (including tree holes or plants) that cannot be destroyed/eliminated (i.e. essential container), breeding of mosquito sites shall be prevented by putting cover/lid and/or backfilling or the application of biological/chemical larvicides.

With this recent development, the Department of Health’s strategies for Dengue Prevention and Control including integrated vector management needs to be reviewed and updated. This is in line with the medium-term strategy review to lower incidence and mortality due to dengue.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

In close collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) – Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) – Adult Health Division (AHD) and guidance of the WHO Country Office Philippines, the contractual partner shall deliver the following items:

1. Develop an Inception Report with proposed methodologies, activities, timeline, and work plan with detailed budget requirements/breakdown to be reviewed and endorsed by DPCB.
2. Conduct an epidemiological review of dengue in the Philippines.

1. Detailed epidemiological review comparison with other arboviral diseases of concern in the country such as Chikungunya and Zika (Aedes borne)
2. Detail the factors associated with the epidemic and geographic spread of Dengue

1. Systematic review of policies, strategies, infrastructure, logistics, and program delivery at the national, regional, provincial, local government, and community levels by conducting the following:

1. Review existing policies, guidelines, and strategies on vector control, health promotion, surveillance, and strategic directions of the national dengue prevention including consideration of vaccination as part of the national dengue prevention and control strategy.
2. Facilitate consultations/coordination meetings with relevant DOH offices and stakeholders through meetings, workshops, and/or write shops.

1. Review the management and administrative aspects and logistics and identify problems and constraints in the general health system, local administration, and other sectors (i.e., Environment, Education, Tourism, Media, etc.).

1. Conduct stakeholders’ meetings with those outside of the Health Cluster
2. Conduct field visits to both low and burden areas to determine if there are differences in Dengue prevention and control implementation strategies

1. Make recommendations for improving policies and strategies including preparedness and response to Dengue outbreaks; resource mobilization and establishment of a network of partners to control dengue and other arboviruses in the Philippines.
2. Submission of a technical report.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

Mandatory experience:

• At least ten years of practice in Public Health or Health Services Management
• Vast knowledge, skills, and experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of vector-borne diseases, and upgrading modern surveillance/information systems, especially for disease prevention and control at international and national levels.
• Relevant experience working on Dengue or an integrated vector control program at the national or international level, especially in the Western Pacific Region, will be an added advantage.

Desirable experience:

• Experience of previously engaging with government officials; diplomacy skills and other soft skills

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 27 June 2023

• • Company Profile {for institutional applications}
• • Technical proposal indicating methodology and timelines, in addition to the below annexes
  • Annex 2: Confidentiality Undertaking
  • Annex 3: Vendor Information Form
• • Financial proposal

Please use Tender Notice No. 203792 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 21 June 2023