BACKGROUND

Lao PDR has so far managed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic within its borders. With 49 cases confirmed since the start of 2020 and no community transmission, the country has begun to lift some public health measures. The health system is readying itself for the next phases of COVID-19 response, including a country-wide vaccination campaign, aiming to vaccinate 70 percent of the population against COVID-19 by the year 2023.

In many countries, the cost of the ongoing COVID-19 response comes at a time of decreasing fiscal space, as government revenues decrease and the need for stimulus spending increases. Higher unemployment may reduce contributions to social protection schemes. Governments need to finance the COVID-19 response while also maintaining essential health services.

In 2019, the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR began developing a health financing strategy for the period 2021-2025, in support of the Health Sector Development Plan and Health Sector Reform Strategy, and with the overarching goal of Universal Health Coverage. The strategic objectives of the health financing strategy are even more important and urgent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, priority actions may need to be updated to reflect the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

While WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in finalizing the Health Financing Strategy 2021 – 2025, the National Health Insurance Bureau requested WHO support to review and update the Health Insurance Strategy which expired in 2020, to reflect ongoing discussion on national health insurance reform and the impact of COVID-19. The National Health Insurance Bureau also requested WHO support on undertaking a policy review based on the the results of the hospital costing exercises completed in early 2021.

Regarding hospital autonomy, the MoH is considering granting public hospitals more autonomy over their operations in the future (including over financing, procurement, staffing, etc.). While the scope of the future autonomy is yet to be defined in detail, the MoH plans to pilot hospital autonomy in central hospitals as of the year 2021. In the context of the planned hospital autonomy, the Department of Finance (DoF) has requested WHO support on establishing benchmarks aiming at standardizing user fees in public hospitals.  

This consultancy will be important to support urgent requests from MOH in moving forward strategic health financing in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To support the Ministry of Health to pursue health financing reforms and national health insurance reforms to improve efficiency, equity, accountability and sustainability of health systems in Lao PDR towards Universal Health Coverage in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Activity 1: Support NHIB in finalizing and disseminating the National Health Insurance Strategy 2021-2025

Activity 2: Support DoF in disseminating and implementing the Health Financing Strategy 2021-2025

Activity 3: Finalize a policy brief on hospital autonomy for Lao PDR and support in organizing meetings with key stakeholders

Activity 4: Finalize a policy brief on donor transition strategies for Lao PDR and support in organizing meetings with key departments in MOH and relevant donors

Activity 5: Update the CVIC tool results in close collaboration with EPI team in WHO CO, WHO HQ/WPRO team, WB, and UNICEF by different scenarios under consideration on a regular basis as new information is made available to support the government in health financing planning for COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic and beyond

Activity 6: Support the Department of Planning and International Cooperation in developing a draft Cooperation Strategy in alignment with the Health Financing Strategy

Others: Support other works in the Health Care Financing unit, including donor coordination, as requested

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Deliverables:

Monthly report of activities, including 1) progress on finalization and dissemination of the draft National Health Insurance Strategy 2021-2025 and the final National Health Insurance Strategy; 2) support for dissemination and implementation of the Health Financing Strategy 2021-2025; 3) finalized policy brief on hospital autonomy and donor transition strategies; 4) updated report on the CVIC tool results and slides; 5) support for finalization of the draft Cooperation Strategy; and 6) donor coordination

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Graduate degree (master's level) from a recognized university, in public health, international development, social sciences, management sciences or other related field.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum of 7 years’ experience related to health financing, health economics, or social health protection.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Sound understanding of health financing, health economics or social health protection in development contexts; quantitative skills, including statistical analysis; excellent writing skills; ability to interact with government counterparts.

LANGUAGES

Excellent speaking and writing skills in English required

COMPETENCIES

Communicating in a credible and effective way.

Respecting agreed timelines and producing results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Due to travel restrictions, only those who are presently in Lao PDR may be considered

Duration of contract is 95 working days from 27 December 2021 - 15 May 2022

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 28 October 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 147889 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.