#012 – National consultant to support MOH in conduct a review meeting on EMTCT and revise the national guidelines related to hepatitis B

Background

WHO Global and Western Pacific Region set the targets for elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis by 2030. This is an ambitious target but could be achieved if there is strong political commitment and investment from the government. 

In Viet Nam, the National Action Plan (NAP) to eliminate HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis transmission from mother to child (EMTCT) in the period 2018 - 2030 was developed and approved on 29th November 2018 (Decision No. 7130/QD-BYT).  The NAP set the goal to elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis by 2030 with specific targets such as 1) reduce HIV new infection in infants to ≤50/100,000 newborns or reduce HIV transmission rate from mother to child to <5% in breastfeeding children or <2% if not breastfeeding children; 2) reduce the congenital syphilis to ≤50/100,000 newborns; and 3) reduce HBsAg prevalence in children under five year old to ≤0.1%. 

However, there are challenges during implementation of the NAP. The testing coverage is still low. For example, in 2021, less than 70% of PW had HIV and HBV testing and less than 30% had syphilis testing in the country were tested for HIV, HBV and syphilis, respectively. There is limited data on linkage to prophylaxis and treatment among pregnant women who tested positive with HIV, HBV and/or syphilis. In the case of HIV, only 75% of the estimated number of HIV positive pregnant women received ART. Thus, it is important to conduct a review to document the progression as well as to identify the gaps and barriers that preclude pregnant women in accessing effective intervention to prevent new infection of HIV, HBV and syphilis among newborns.

In March 2024, WHO released a new guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B infection in which treatment eligibility and antiviral prophylaxis has been expanded. The new WHO recommendation if implemented will facilitate access to diagnosis and treatment and prevention for HBV by expansion of the eligibility for HBV prevention and treatment especially in the settings where access to HBV DNA testing is limited. The national consultant will provide technical support to MOH to revise the national guidelines on prevention of mother to child transmission of HBV and the national guidelines on HBV diagnosis and treatment. 

Planned timeline (subjected to confirmation)

Start date: 24/5/2024
End date: 30/10/2024

Work to be performed

• Review of implementation of national action plan on EMTCT
  Under the technical supervision of WHO technical staff, the national consultant will work closely with the international consultant and MOH counterparts to conduct the EMTCT review.
• Support MOH in revising national guidelines
  Under the technical advice and supervision of WHO technical staff, the national consultant will work with national TWG and MOH counterparts to assist MOH in revising national guidelines on prevention of mother to child transmission of HBV and HBV diagnosis and treatment.

Please refer to the Call for Expressions of Interest and Proposal attached for more details. Those who are interested can submit the following documents:
- Most updated CV and application letter
- Copy of passport
- Copy of education certificates
Please indicate post title and vacancy notice # and should be addressed to:
Administrative Officer
World Health Organization
UN Building, 304 Kim Ma Street
Hanoi, Viet Nam
OR wpvnmapplicants@who.int before/by 16 May