Terms of Reference. I. Introduction

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference Technical Assistance for the Conduct of Quantitative Survey on Malaria Diagnostic Services and its Quality Assurance System in the Philippines Engagement of a team/institute through the World Health Organization in the Philippines to conduct a survey on the status of malaria diagnosis through microscopy and RDT and the Quality Assurance System (QAS). I. Introduction As the Philippines Department of Health Malaria Program shifts from Control to Elimination, strategies and systems have likewise been scaled-up towards the vision of a Malaria-Free Philippines by These adjustments are embodied in the Malaria Manual of Operations and in the recently revised National Strategic Plan for Control and Elimination of Malaria (NSPCEM) The revised NSPCEM has the following strategic objectives: Objective 1 To ensure universal access to reliable diagnosis, highly effective and appropriate treatment and preventive measures for malaria Objective 2 To strengthen governance and human resources capacity at all levels to manage and implement malaria interventions Objective 3 To secure government and non-government financing to sustain malaria control and elimination at all levels Objective 4 To ensure the quality of malaria services, timely detection of infection and immediate response, and information and evidence to guide malaria elimination Objectives 1 and 4 specifically covers universal access to reliable and quality malaria diagnosis. Both are crucial as diagnosis provides the first step in the management of malaria. To achieve Malaria-Free Philippines by 2030, high coverage of quality assured malaria diagnosis through microscopy or RDT should be maintained. As such, DOH-NMCEP will carry out an assessment on the current status and coverage of malaria diagnostic services and its quality assurance scheme (QAS). In view of this activity, DOH-NMCEP through WHO will hire a team/institute who will undertake the survey on malaria diagnostic services and the quality assurance system in the country. Results of the survey shall guide the program in scaling-up reliable and quality malaria diagnosis towards Malaria-free Philippines by II. Objectives The DOH-NMCEP, through the World Health Organization Philippine Country Office, wishes to engage the services of a team/institute to work on the following primary objectives:

2 1. Implement a survey on the status and coverage of microscopy and RDT services, both in public and private facilities, and the Quality Assurance System (QAS) in malariafree, elimination, and control areas; 2. Develop an analysis of the results of the survey. III. Responsibilities and Tasks The team/institute shall work closely with DOH-NMCEP and WHO in carrying-out the survey. He/She/The team is expected to implement the survey design of the microscopy and RDT services and QAS in the country. Specifically, the team/institute is expected to accomplish the following: 1. Organize a coordination meeting with TWG, DOH-NMCEP, WHO and other stakeholders to discuss the different indicators to be covered by the survey, the overall survey design, and sampling design to be used. This will also level-off understanding between the team/institute, DOH-NMCEP, and WHO on the data collection/survey tools, the selection of study sites, and the coordination scheme with the selected study sites; 2. Provide an action plan outlining all the aspects of implementation work such as, but not limited to: a. Number, composition, and qualifications of the survey team field-supervisors, enumerators, data entry/encoders b. Sampling plan c. Detailed calendar of activities d. Survey protocols (questionnaires, recorders, etc.) e. Data collection/entry tool, such as mobile app (ODK or other data collection apps) f. Procedures to ensure data collection quality g. Protocols and procedures in addressing data inconsistencies when identified h. Statistical software to be used for analysis This plan should be presented to DOH-NMCEP and WHO for comments and revision, as necessary, prior to implementation; 3. Provide and train a survey team comprised of qualified professionals to implement the survey; 4. Translate the provided survey questionnaires and other related materials from English to appropriate local dialect; 5. Conduct pre-testing of the survey tools, provide feedback to DOH-NMCEP and WHO on the results of pre-testing, and revise the survey tools, as needed; 6. Coordinate with concerned DOH Regional and Provincial Offices and LGU offices of the selected study sites prior to the conduct of survey;

3 7. Implement the survey in the selected study sites in adherence with the survey design; 8. Data Management 9. Compile, tabulate, and process the survey data using appropriate statistical software; 10. Develop initial report for the survey results, as guided by the survey design and present to TWG; 11. Turnover all raw and processed data to DOH-NMCEP and WHO; DOH-NMCEP and WHO will provide the survey design, survey questionnaire, sample size and study sites. Any publication of survey results should be in consultation of and approved by national DOH-NMCEP. IV. Evaluation approach, outputs and methodology 1. Approach The team/institute will adopt the following methodologies: a. Desk review of documents, which may include, but not limited to, NMCEP Strategic Plan, Malaria Manual of Operations, malaria diagnostic and QA reports, guidelines and policies, and other relevant documents; b. Conduct survey activities and field visits to study sites (public and private health facilities) providing malaria diagnosis services, and other areas of interest as needed; and c. Provide presentations during briefing, debriefing, and presentation of output of the engagement 2. Outputs The outputs of the survey shall include the following: a. Summary of preliminary findings and recommendations to be presented to the Malaria TWG; b. Initial and final report incorporating comments and inputs from the consultation meetings with relevant malaria stakeholders; c. Electronically-compiled data sets of the survey. 3. Methodology DOH and WHO requires the following services to be undertaken:

4 Preparatory work Review of all key background documents provided and conduct other research as appropriate or deemed necessary by DOH and WHO; Initial discussion with DOH NMCEP Program Manager, WHO Medical Officer for Malaria, Vector-borne and other Parasitic diseases (MVP), Philippines on the required assignment; Preparation and submission of Inception Report. Survey activities Consultations with Malaria TWG, NMCEP National Program Manager, WHO MVP Medical Officer, and other relevant stakeholders; Coordination with concerned Regional Malaria Coordinators, regional, provincial and municipal validators, private malaria diagnostic service providers, Barangay Microscopists, RDT volunteers, other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate; Field survey in the selected regions, provinces, municipalities and barangays; Consolidate inputs gathered during consultations and field visits, as well as the data gathered during desk review as reference in writing the reports; Briefing and debriefing with Malaria Technical Working Group in Manila and with the DOH Regional Offices and other stakeholders; Reporting Provide full briefing of initial findings to DOH and WHO. Conduct briefings to relevant Government, program staff and program partners. V. Timeline Key activities Advertisement and Recruitment of Survey Team/institute Desk review of related documents Coordination/consultation meeting/s with TWG, NMCEP, and WHO by Team/institute Preparation of action plan Presentation of Action Plan during Regional MedTech Meeting and Revision/finalization based on meeting proceedings Implementation of Field Survey Data processing manage, clean, initial analysis Data Analysis Data reporting and writing of draft report Presentation of Draft Report to TWG Revise/Finalize report based on TWG comments Dates 4 th week of May to 1 st week of June 2 nd week of June 2 nd week of June 3 rd week of June 4 th week of June/1 st week of July 3 rd week of July to 2 nd week if August 3 rd -4 th week of August 1 st week of Sep 2 nd -3 rd week of Sep 4 th week of Sep 1 st week of Oct

5 Submit Final Survey Report 2 nd week of Oct VI. Qualification The team is led by experienced researcher or research managers, and composed of epidemiologists, statisticians, data management staff The team has conducted field surveys in the past and the quality of the survey implementation and reports were satisfied The team has experience in employment of modern tools of data collection and processing, or is willing to use modern tools for survey to improve the efficiency Experience in health facility survey is an advantage Publication of field studies or surveys in peer-reviewed journal is an advantage