Technical Assistance for a Consulting Firm to provide a Neonatologist and Specialist NICU Nurses to provide on going trainings and mentorship

HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING FOR HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Title of Assignment: Technical Assistance For Neonatologist And Specialist Nicu Nurses To Provide On-Going Training And Mentorship.

Reference No.: SZ-MOH-276471-CS-QCBS

• Project Context:

To meet the National Health Sector Strategic Plan’s (NHSSP II 2019-23) policy objective – “build an efficient, equitable, client-centred health system for accelerated attainment of the highest standard of health for all people in Eswatini” – the MOH recognizes the need to invest in health system strengthening to improve the coverage of essential services and the quality of care. Modernizing the foundations of the health system and applying evidence-based improvements are key to achieving better quality care and, through that, reduced child and adult mortality and stunting for human capital formation.

To address key sector challenges in the health sector, the MOH is implementing the HSS4HCDP with the aim of improving the coverage and quality of key reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), nutrition and non-communicable disease (NCD) services (hypertension and diabetes) in Eswatini. The project focuses on strengthening the health system and ramping up investments in RMNCAH, nutrition, and NCD services to address critical human capital challenges, including stunting and child and adult mortality, applying a life course approach. The project includes the following components: Component 1: Improve health service delivery to increase the coverage and quality of health services to build human capital; Component 2. Increase community demand for RMNCAH, nutrition and NCD services; Component 3. Strengthen the MOH’s stewardship capacity to manage essential health and nutrition services and project activities; and Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response Component.

The project is complementary to the Eswatini COVID-19 ERP and is designed to deepen and extend the COVID-19 ERP’s impact through focusing on medium-term structural changes and the modernization of the health sector. While the emergency operation focuses on short-term needs to support capacity in prevention, detection, and response to the threat posed by the COVID-19, the HSSHCDP offers a medium-term horizon to strengthen the health system’s foundations and its preparedness to respond to the population’s health needs, including through strengthened health facilities that can provide high-quality care to COVID-19 patients and those with chronic diseases that are particularly susceptible to severe coronavirus disease, digital platforms for real-time responsive data tracking and use, and governance and stewardship to efficiently and effectively manage the health response in such a dynamic environment.

• Background to the assignment.

The Kingdom of Eswatini has high neonatal mortality at 20/1,000[1] live births. Shiselweni region has the highest neonatal mortality rates (27/1,000 live births) followed by Manzini region (24/1,000)[2]. The major causes of neonatal deaths are prematurity (children born too early for their dates), asphyxia (diminished oxygen due to breathing difficulties) and sepsis (infection). This points to poor quality of intrapartum care and new-born care, especially those born prematurely. Management of prematurity requires keeping the baby consistently warm. Kangaroo Mother Care[3] (KMC) is recommended to ensure continuous warmth and stimulation, yet, coverage remains low with less than 20 percent of preterm babies receiving KMC. In addition, care of very sick new-borns requires a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where specialised health workers will provide the specialised care. However, there is no established NICU in Eswatini which has significantly contributed to deaths among the sick new-borns.

The country is currently in the process of establishing a NICU in the Mbabane Government Hospital where infrastructure for the NICU has already been constructed and equipment for the facility is being procured. However, there is need to have staff trained to manage the NICU effectively to avoid creating complications for the new-borns. Currently, there are few health workers with advanced midwifery and neonatal care skills and paediatricians that work in the facility. In addition, more staff will be trained to increase human resources capacity.

Its against this background the MOH would like to engage a Consultancy Firm or Institution that will provide a neonatologist and specialised NICU nurses from other countries where NICU is provided routinely to mentor the health workers to ensure their smooth initiation as well as implementation and management of the NICU. The neonatologist and three specialised NICU nurses are requested for a period of two years, with a possibility for extension for an additional year upon need

• Objective of the assignment:

The objective of the consultancy is to build the capacity of health workers (Nurses and Pediatricians) at Mbabane Government Hospital (MGH) to provide quality neonatal care including Intensive Care Unit services to sick newborns.

• Qualifications:

Consultants Qualifications and Experience

The Eswatini MOH is looking for health technical experts who can facilitate provision of highly specialized care for small and sick newborns in the country

The Consultant should be a firm or institution that can provide a team of four experts comprising the following qualifications

Qualifications for the Firm

• A hospital or an organization or institution with reputable record in the provision of neonatal care preferably in SADC region

• A level 3 and above NICU provider

• Have a selected team that is strong in linkages to multi-disciplinary teams (Neonatologists, Pediatricians, and Biomedical Engineers) directly involved in the care of sick and small newborns.

• Proven knowledge and experience in conducting similar work is a requirement.

Qualifications of key staff

Key staff

Qualifications

One (1) Neonatologist.

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• MBCHD in Medicine, Masters of Medicine in pediatrics and a, sub specialty in neonatology

• At least five years’ experience working in NICU,

• Has experience in training/mentoring health workers/students.

• Excellent communication skills with fluency in English.

• Experience in developing standards and SOPs

• Experience in setting up a NICU

Three (3) Nurses

(To work in shifts)

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• BSC Nursing with advanced clinical and management experience in Neonatal ICU or neonatology;

• At least five years’ experience working in NICU.

• Has experience in training/mentoring health workers/students.

• Excellent communication skills with fluency in English.

• Duration of the assignment,

The contract is over a period of twenty four (24) months divided in the following manner:

• 1st quarter of year one – 6 weeks

• 2nd and 3rd quarters of year one – 1 month

• 4th quarter year one – 2 weeks

• For year two – 2 weeks per quarter

• Reporting requirements,

The Consultants, through their team leader, will report to the SRH Programme Manager, Senior Medical Officer, Matron and the Project Coordinator.

• Station,

Mbabane, with field visits as required.

The MOH now invites interested, qualified firms to indicate their interest in providing technical support and services under this consultancy. Selection shall be on the basis of examination and comparison of the qualifications and experience of the firm and proposed individuals as evidenced by their submission. The selection in this process is following Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) where by the selected firms shall be sent Request for Proposals to respond to.

APLICATIONS:

Submit a detailed expression of interest that should include the required details above. Terms of Reference to this consultancy are available on request.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health; 2nd Floor Ministry of Justice Building, Mbabane.

Postal address: The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health P.O. Box 5; Mbabane, Eswatini.

Electronic applications should be sent to Project Coordinator; [email protected] copy to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 11.00 hours on 17th March, 2022. All applications will be acknowledged but only shortlisted firms will be contacted. Contacts: (00268) 24045514; (00268) 24042431

[1] MICS 2014

[2] MICS 2014

[3] Kangaroo mother care is where an infant is held skin-to-skin with his mother, father, or substitute caregiver.