Consultancy to Develop Decision on SHI-covered TB Drugs Procurement and Payment from SHI Fund

Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) Vietnam

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

TO DEVELOP A DECISION ON THE SHI-COVERED TB DRUGS PROCUREMENT AND PAYMENT FROM THE SHI FUND

The global LHSS project helps low- and middle-income countries transition to sustainable, self-funded health finance systems that support high-performing overall health systems. The LHSS activity in Vietnam will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to advance greater local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control. Led by Abt Associates, the four-year activity will support Vietnam in increasing its domestic financing for HIV and TB services in the context of declining donor funding, using government resources more efficiently, and in assuming local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control activities. Specific objectives are: (1) Support the GVN to strengthen its public financial management systems for public sector health and find greater efficiencies in social health insurance (SHI), (2) Increase and improve the efficiency of domestic financing of HIV prevention and treatment services; (3) Strengthen the capacity of Vietnam's supply chain management system; and (4) The transition of TB services into SHI.

In the context of the GVN budget constraints covering the National TB Program (NTP), in 2020, the GVN decided to transition the procurement and payment of TB drugs into the SHI from 2022 onward. The NTP is taking a leading role in facilitating the transition. As TB drugs will be procured through the SHI fund for the first time, several guiding documents, especially on drug procurement, need to be developed to direct the procurement activities. Per LHSS's objective 4 on assisting the transition of TB services into SHI, LHSS will mobilize a national consultant to support the NTP in developing these procurement and payment decisions/directions.

Objective

To develop a procurement decision on the procurement and payment of the 1^st line TB drugs from the SHI fund.-HIH

Main tasks

• Outline the decision in consultation with the NTP and MOH departments in charge.

• Collect inputs and comments from relevant MOH divisions to draft the decision.

• Consult VSS, if needed, on aspects of the decision if related to the implementation of health insurance policies.

• Develop a timeline to implement the MOH procurement and payment decision.

• Finalize the decision dossier for the NTP to submit to the MOH leader.

Deliverables

• Monthly progress updates (short reports) on the task implementation to the NTP and LHSS.

• A decision dossier on the procurement and payment of SHI-covered TB drug, as agreed upon by the NTP for submission to the MOH leader.

• A timeline for implementing the MOH procurement and payment decision, including the different roles of related divisions and agencies.

Skills/Knowledge Required

• Graduate degree in social or health science, public health, or relevant disciplines.

• Good understanding of the national TB program.

• Good understanding of Vietnam's health insurance policies.

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with government agencies, including the MOH, VSS, and the TB program.

• Language requirement: Vietnamese. The ability to speak English would be an advantage.

Note: This position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam, with a planned level of effort of up to 30 working days.

To apply, please send your CV and an application letter to [email protected].

Deadline: March 5^th, 2021

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.