STC on Telemedicine

1. Background: Vietnam has successfully contained the 1st wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The country has resumed almost normal economic activities since late April while continues to run the epidemic surveillance and control system. However, given the characteristics of the virus and its transmission, it is well recognized that the risks are potential, and the outbreak surge can happen at any time. VNM needs to continue containment measures to suppress the epidemic trajectory while effectively prepare and enhance the capacity of the health service delivery system for any future surge of the epidemic while continue to meet the essential health care needs in the community. Telemedicine – health care delivered remotely, has been discussed as one of the innovative ways to ensure continued access to essential services while responding and containing the virus transmission. The discussions and initiatives in the country about the use of telemedicine during the epidemic time have been so far focus more on teleworking between secondary and tertiary specialists over-sharing patient’s information and images and getting tertiary specialist advice on diagnosis and treatment. Not much yet discussion on telemedicine at primary level, between community health workers (CHW)/district doctors and patients at home, especially vulnerable patients such as older people, disable, pregnant mothers, young children, or patients with existing chronic conditions. Recognizing the important initiative from the Gov in ensuring access to essential services, including COVID-related services, WHO proposes to support the Gov to design and introduce telemedicine at grassroots level, focusing on enhancing the capacity of district and commune staff in responding to community health needs, reducing unnecessary travel and risk exposure to COVID-19 for both patients and health care staff. This initiative is relevant to the WCO’s current flagship plan to strengthen primary care, renewing care model, promoting coordinated and continual care for older and NCD patients. Moreover, this initiative will contribute to community engagement and increased capacity of district and commune health staff in implementing optimal care pathways, handling COVID and non-COVID patients, via keeping close links to community and households. 2. Work to be performed Method(s) to carry out the activity Under the supervision of the Health System team coordinator at the WHO Representative Office for Viet Nam, the consultant will lead the technical assistance provision to the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam in the area of (1) capacity building for primary health care workforce including the development of training package and delivering of training courses to primary health care workers; (2) support implementation of telemedicine at primary care level; (3) district health system strengthening. The consultant will be required to report to the WHO Representative Office for Viet Nam at a full-time basis. Output/s - Output 1: Technical support provided in developing of technical guidelines for telemedicine providers and users, at primary care and community level + Deliverable 1: Draft guidelines completed and consultation with relevant experts conducted - Output 2: Technical support provided in preparing of training material (and learning package) focusing on ICOPE, COVID-19 related issues, and essential NCDs, for primary care workers. + Deliverable 2: Training materials (in PPTs format) for primary health care workers on (1) ICOPE, (2) COVID-19, and (3) essential NCDs completed. - Output 3: Technical support provided in delivering of training courses (including online courses) for primary care workers on the COVID-related, ICOPE and NCDs topics + Deliverable 3: Training of trainers and training courses delivered in selected sites - Output 4: Support provided to provinces that implement telemedicine at the primary care level. + Deliverable 4: Field visits conducted to provide technical advices and problem solving during provincial implementation of telemedicine and primary care strengthening in selected sites. 3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation) Start date: 22 July 2020 End date: 22 June 2021 4. Specific requirements a. Qualifications required: Essential: - A bachelor degree in Medicines from a nationally recognized university Desirable: - A postgraduate degree in relevant areas including public health, epidemiology, health service delivery management, quality assurance, health policy or planning from a recognized university b. Experience required: - At least 15 years experiences in relevant areas including public health and clinical internal medicine - Previous experience working in the WHO or relevant UN organizations c. Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: - Knowledge on prevention and management of main communicable and non-communicable disease of public health importance in Viet Nam - Knowledge on the role and current challenges of Vietnam health service delivery system including grass-root health care system and hospital health care system - Proven skills in delivering clinical training to primary care doctors d. Language requirements: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English and Vietnamese e. Competencies - Good coordination and communication skills across different technical programmes and partners. - Ability to establish harmonious working relationships and teamwork and adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain high level of personal conduct. - Ability to demonstrate gender equality and cultural appropriateness within the office and among partners. - Fostering integration and teamwork 5. Place of assignment Ha Noi, Viet Nam (the consultant is expected to work full time at the WHO Representative Office for Viet Nam). The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. 6. Travel The Consultant is expected to travel where and when required by the Manager. Any travel will follow the appropriate WHO rules and regulations for travel and be arranged by WHO. 7. Budget Please take note of the following when submitting application: - The contractor will be responsible for paying taxes, if any. Those who are interested can contact our focal person with contact detail at the end of the announcement before/by 7 July 2020 Attachment: Detailed call for expression of interest Address for Applications: Administrative Officer World Health Organization UN Building, 304 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi, Viet Nam Or by email at: wpvnmapplicants@who.int Application deadline: 7 July 2020 More Information and Application Details