Local agencies, organizations, or institutions to implement capacity building activities on rabies disease prevention and control in Viet Nam

Background
Viet Nam reported 82 human rabies deaths in 2023, an increase of 12 deaths compared to 2022. From the beginning of 2024 until 21 June 2024, the country reported 49 human rabies deaths, an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2023 (38 deaths). Of these, 12 deaths were reported from the central region.
In the central region, human rabies deaths have been reported in several provinces, such as Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri provinces. From 2020 to 2023, Binh Thuan province consistently recorded the highest number of human rabies deaths in the region, the province reporting two to four human rabies deaths each year. However, there is a sharp increase in the number of human rabies deaths in the province in 2024. In the first six months of the year alone, seven human rabies deaths have been reported, marking the highest number of human rabies deaths in the country.
To support Binh Thuan province as well as the central region of Viet Nam in achieving the goal of Zero by 30, the WCO Viet Nam is inviting applications from local institutions, agencies, or organizations to conduct a review of rabies prevention and control in Binh Thuan province. This review will aim to identify all barriers and gaps in these efforts. The findings will inform and guide appropriate actions to decrease human rabies deaths in Binh Thuan province and the central region of Viet Nam.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 22 August 2024
End date: 10 December 2024

Work to be performed - Description of the tasks
Under the guidance of the WCO Viet Nam’s responsible officer, the APW holder (including the team lead and his/her team) is expected to undertake the following tasks:
• Review the current status, gaps and challenges of the rabies surveillance, reporting, response, and risk communication activities of the animal and human health sectors at provincial, district, and communal levels (hereafter three levels).
• Review the coordination and collaboration activities in zoonotic diseases, especially rabies prevention, surveillance, response, and risk communication between animal health and human health at the three levels.
• Explore the availability, accessibility, and affordability of human rabies vaccine, the number of dog/cat bites received Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) at the three levels, and the number of rabies vaccination sites including private vaccination sites at each level.
• Review the availability, accessibility, and affordability of dog vaccines at three levels, mechanism of dog and cat management and vaccination, and collect data on the number of dog and cat vaccinated, the rate of dog & cat vaccination, and difficulties and challenges in dog and cat management and vaccination.
• Explore community perspective on dog and cat management and vaccination and seeking Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) after dog/cate bites.
• Prepare a report on the current status, gaps and challenges of the rabies surveillance, reporting, response, and risk communication activities; human and animal rabies vaccination; coordination and collaboration activities of the animal and human health sector at three levels; and community perspective on dog vaccination and seeking PEP after dog/cat bites.
• Conduct a meeting to disseminate and validate review results and to discuss actions and a work plan to address the identified gaps and challenges.
• The APW holder including the team lead and his/her team members will report to WCO Viet Nam’s responsible officer as a prime WHO focal point verbally and in writing the progress of the review a regular basis.
• Develop a final report at the end of the APW contract.

Please refer to the attached Terms of Reference and Bid Reference for more detailed information of the assignment. 

A prospective bidder requiring clarification on technical, contractual or commercial matters may notify WHO via email at the following address no later than than 7 August 2024. Email for submissions of all queries: wpvnmhe@who.int (use Bid reference in subject line )

The bidder shall submit, in writing, the complete proposal to WHO, no later than 7 August 2024 at 17:00 hours Hanoi time (“the closing date”), by email at the following email address: wpvnmhe@who.int (use Bid reference in subject line )