APW on Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Practitioners

BACKGROUND

The regulatory landscape for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) practitioners varies substantially across the Region. Many of Asian countries and areas of the Region have already established a regulatory system and education for traditional medicine practitioners, depending on their own context and situation. They include China, Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and Viet Nam. Australia recently integrated regulation of complementary medicine practitioners into the national regulatory scheme of the healthcare workforce, and Malaysia is implementing the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act to regulate T&CM practitioners. Cambodia is in the process of developing a sub-decree on traditional medicine practitioners. In the Pacific, it is still not yet established in many countries, but there is an increasing number of T&CM practitioners trained overseas who want to practice in the Pacific.

Based on the Resolution on the Regional Action Agenda on Regulatory Strengthening, Convergence and Cooperation for Medicines and the Health Workforce, WPR/RC68.R7, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) has facilitated discussion with Member States on the development of regulatory systems for traditional medicine, and, where appropriate, integration in health-care systems. Since 2017, WHO WPRO has collected relevant data and developed a draft report on the regulatory status of T&CM practitioners and the education system. The draft report was recently shared with the Member States of the Region at the Meeting on Strengthening Regulatory System for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practitioners in the Western Pacific Region which was held on 9-10 September 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.

13 Member States of the Region attended the meeting, and representatives from these Member States provided further information and updates on a current regulatory system of T&CM practitioners. They also shared key issues and challenges on the regulation of T&CM practitioners and asked for WHO's further support to share more detailed information on the overall regulatory system of T&CM practitioners, including regulatory standards, in each Member State of the Region.

Compared to information on the regulation of T&CM products, there is very limited data on the regulation of T&CM practitioners in the Region. Due to rapid increase in mobility of people and products in the T&CM area and unique aspects of T&CM, sharing the information on overall regulatory system and regulatory standards for T&CM practitioners will be very helpful for Member States to review and strengthen their own system and regulate T&CM practitioners trained and licensed overseas based on better understanding of other countries' practices.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This work aims to finalize a draft report on the regulatory system and education for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) practitioners in the Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

A draft report was developed based on information collected at relevant WHO meetings and data collected in collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centres. Based on further updates and inputs from the Member States at the Meeting on Strengthening Regulatory System for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practitioners in the Western Pacific Region which was held on 9-10 September 2019 in Melbourne, Australia, this work will finalize the draft report.

In consultation with relevant programs, including traditional medicine program, in WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, the service provider will produce the following outputs:

• Output 1: Revised structure of the final report
• Output 2: Final report on the regulatory system and education system for T&CM practitioners

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• The contractual partner will review the draft report and other relevant reports published by WHO and revise the overall structure of the draft report.
• Based on several rounds of discussion with WHO WPRO, the contractual partner will finalize the structure of the final report.
• For Asian countries and areas, the contractual partner will revise the draft report, using the country profiles developed in preparation for the Meeting on Strengthening Regulatory System for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practitioners in the Western Pacific Region and verified by representatives from the participating Member States.
• For the Pacific, the contractual partner will review the existing data on the Pacific Island Countries and collect more data as needed.
• The contractual partner will finalize the report based on feedback from WHO and other experts in this area.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

University degree in medicine, traditional and complementary medicine, health-related or social sciences

Desirable:

Post-graduate degree in medicine, traditional and complementary medicine or public health

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Experiences in regulation of the health workforce, specifically traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, and relevant researches on the regulation of traditional and complementary medicine and/or other public health issues at least for 7 years

Desirable: Experiences in supporting the Member States in strengthening regulation of the health workforce, specifically traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, in developing countries

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Skills and knowledge for literature review; and analytical skills for comparative analysis of health systems

LANGUAGES

Expert knowledge of English in reading, writing and speaking

COMPETENCIES

• Technical Expertise in the area
• Strong written communication skills
• Producing Result

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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      18 Nov 2019. 

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. WPRO/2019-11/DHS-ISD/TN99699/bab as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.