APW to conduct ACF of identifying early Leprosy, TB and Hypertension (WHO)

VN044 Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) holder (firm/institution/agency) to conduct an integrated active case finding (ACF) of identifying early Leprosy, TB and Hypertension, and providing a comprehensive support for diagnosis, treatment, and management of Leprosy, skin diseases, in high-risk areas in the country.

1. Background

Leprosy, or Hansen's Disease, is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, that despite curative therapy is still a lasting health problem in many areas. If symptoms of Leprosy are not recognized, a delay in diagnosis can result in severe disability. In Viet Nam, Leprosy used to be considered one of four incurable diseases and has historically been associated with heavy social stigma and discrimination by the community. In 1982 the National leprosy control program (NLCP) was established, with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) implemented one year later (in 1983) which mark a remarkable improvement in the epidemiology situation of the disease. As a result, Viet Nam achieved the elimination target at the national level in 1995 with a prevalence rate of 0.7 per 10,000 population. Viet Nam achieved the elimination target at the provincial level in 2000. In the period 2016-2020, the prevalence of leprosy in the community decreased from 0.02 per 10,000 population to 0.01 per 10,000 population. Although Vietnam set up the goal of eliminating leprosy in 1995 and sub-elimination was achieved in all provinces since 2000, leprosy is still a major public health problem. In recent years, it is estimated about 100 to 200 new cases are detected every year in Viet Nam. The rate of disability, which is defined as the partly affected and/or visible changes is present among 20% of new cases. New cases were detected through voluntary reporting, mass surveys, and contact examinations. Whereas Leprosy became a neglected disease over the past decades, consequently the leprosy program has no longer received finical support from the central government. The aim to eliminate leprosy at the national level and disability due to Leprosy by 2030 is facing with risk of not being achieved. The majority of Leprosy incidents are concentrated in high-risk areas with unfavorable conditions for health service accessibility, low level of awareness, and a health system limited capacity. To sustain the momentum toward the end of leprosy transmission, focusing on addressing leprosy in these areas requires a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses the various barriers to treatment and control of the disease. The purpose of this APW is to provide comprehensive support to strengthen the locality's capacity for Leprosy screening, detection, treatment, and management. This includes increased capacity for local health workers, support screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of new leprosy cases in combination with raising awareness in the population. Due to the population in these high-risk areas often facing difficulty in accessing health care and have limited access to information, it is important to take this opportunity to screen patients of major health issues in Viet Nam, such as Tuberculosis and Hypertension, and refer suspected cases to get diagnosis. The result of this activity will be a basis for future comprehensive support activities in the country and contribute to the achievement of the goal of the National Leprosy program.

2. Planned timelines.

Start date: 25 Aug 2023
End date: 31 Dec 2023

3. Work to be performed.

Method(s) to carry out the activity. The activity under the APW is to be implemented by the APW holder in collaboration with local health care workers who oversee leprosy in the identified provinces. The timeframe of the activity is from 25 Aug to 31 Dec 2023. The detail of key activities includes:

Activity 1: Identify high-risk province(s) that require support and develop training documents and communication material.
Activity 2: Train physician in screening, diagnose, treatment and management of leprosy and common dermatology diseases.
Activity 3: Conduct screening for leprosy, common dermatology diseases, and other health issues such as tuberculosis and hypertension at communal level; and raise awareness of local people on leprosy, common dermatology diseases, and other health issues such as tuberculosis and hypertension.
Activity 4: Support for treatment and management for patient with leprosy and common dermatology diseases.
Activity 5: Analyse the gathered data and finalize report.

Output/s

Local health care worker was trained and supported in detection, diagnostic and treatment of Leprosy and common dermatology diseases.
Leprosy patients with early symptoms are timely diagnosed and treated, preventing disability.
Patients suspected of other health issues such as tuberculosis and hypertension are referred to get diagnosed.
Awareness of local population on leprosy, common dermatology diseases, and other health issues such as tuberculosis and hypertension are raised.

Deliverables:

Training documents and communication material.
Final activities report, including screening of Leprosy, some common dermatology diseases, TB and Hypertension in the selected provinces.

4. Specific requirements

The selected service provider (APW holder) must have:

Team Leader’s requirements: holds a PhD degree and/or a post graduate qualification in dermatology diseases; has at least 10 years working experiences in clinical management, diagnosis, and treatment for dermatology diseases including leprosy; has directly been involved in and provided technical support for development of training materials and conducting training courses on dermatology diseases and leprosy.
Preference is given to expert(s) who have experience participating in the WHO supported activity.
Team members’ requirements:

o Teachers/ facilitators: have post graduate qualifications in dermatology diseases; have at least 5 years’ experience in clinical management of dermatology diseases and leprosy. o Assistant teachers/ facilitators: hold a medical degree qualification; have at least 3 years’ experience in clinical management of dermatology diseases and leprosy; familiar with conducting training workshops and experienced in logistic arrangement.

5. Place of assignment

Hanoi
The APW holder will work at their own base on the update of training documents and communication material.

6. Cost All bids will be evaluated based on the submitted proposals with detailed budget breakdown in term of the technical requirements, timeline, and value for money. 7. Travel The service provider will work in Hanoi and travel to some provinces which are identified by the APW holder. The agencies/institutions that are interested can submit your proposals indicating vacancy notice number and job title by 15 August 2023 and should be addressed to: