Call for consultancy: National consultant to provide advisory support on reimbursement of technical services related to TB diagnostics (Xpert and smear) under the national health insurance scheme
1. About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.
2. Detailed Description of Tasks to be Performed:
Since 2022, Vietnam has initiated the transition of payment for tuberculosis (TB) medical examination and treatment services, including anti-TB medications, to the national social health insurance (SHI) system. Currently, all the first-line TB drugs are fully reimbursed through the SHI fund. However, for TB diagnostic services such as direct smear microscopy (AFB) and rapid molecular diagnostic tests recommended by the World Health Organization (Xpert), several health facilities have not yet met the necessary conditions or completed the required procedures for SHI reimbursement. This is primarily due to funding from the local government budget and international donors still support for the procurement of reagents, biological products, and consumables.
SET project proposes to support provinces and health facilities under the SET project to comprehensively review the current situation, challenges, and gaps related to SHI reimbursement of TB diagnostic testing such smear and Xpert. This includes identifying unmet requirements that prevent facilities from meeting the Ministry of Health’s criteria for SHI reimbursement (such as human resources, infrastructure, equipment, and procurement of related materials and reagents etc). The project also aims to accelerate taking and completing the procedures with the local SHI agencies for SHI reimbursement of TB diagnostic tests by 2026.
3. Objective
To recruit one qualified expert with sufficient capacity, knowledge, and experience to work closely with the provincial Lung Hospitals/CDC in the project supported provinces. The expert will guide local health facilities in effectively implementing the necessary steps to enable SHI reimbursement for TB diagnostic services. Under this scope of work, FHI 360 requests consultancy services from qualified consultants to provide technical expertise to the priority provinces in performing the following tasks, with specified deliverables and timelines from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026:
- Conduct field visits and work directly with the Planning Department of the Provincial Lung Hospital or CDC (provincial-level focal point) and regional health centers (RHCs) to assess the status of SHI reimbursement for smear and Xpert testing services.
- Provide advisory support on the necessary actions that health facilities must complete prior to initiating procedures with the local SHI agency. Assist facilities in developing a detailed action plan including a timeline and get the health facility leadership consensus on implementation of the plan.
- Provide advisory support to health facilities regarding the technical and economic norms, as well as the pricing structure of Xpert and smear diagnostic services, to enable partial reimbursement of technical service costs through SHI.
- Advise on the procedures and processes required for health facilities to enable intergrate Xpert and smear testing into the current contract with SHI agency and reimburse from SHI fund. Provide follow up technical support to health facilities until they complete procedures with local SHI agency to be able to get SHI reimbursement.
4. Scope of Work and Expected Deliverables
|
# |
Scope
|
Deliverable |
Days |
Due Date |
|
1 |
Site visits conducted and develop an implementation plan outlining the necessary activities need to be completed for reimbursement of Xpert and smear agreed by the leadership of the health facility |
Approved action plan /each health facilities visited |
12 |
31/12/2025 |
|
2 |
Summary report of site visits submitted SET project, FHI 360 |
Report (one for each province) |
8.5 |
30/1/2026 |
|
3 |
Follow up technical support provided to health facilities until they complete procedures with local SHI agency to be able to get SHI reimbursement for Xpert testing (0.5 day/contract x maximum 8 contracts). |
Health facilities completed procedures with local SHI agency |
4 |
30/4/2026 |
|
|
|
Total |
24.5 |
|
5. Location of : Vietnam
6. Travel
The consultant is tentatively expected to travel to 5 provinces: An Giang, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh, Can Tho and Kien Giang (new An Giang).
|
No |
Province |
Number of survey sites |
|
1 |
An Giang |
4: AG GH, Chau Phu, Phu Tan, Cho Moi |
|
2 |
Dong Thap |
2: Lap Vo, Hong Ngu city |
|
3 |
Tay Ninh |
3: TN LHP, Trang Bang, Tan Chau |
|
4 |
Can Tho |
4: Pediatric Hospital, Co Do, Binh Thuy and Thot Not |
|
5 |
Kien Giang (AG) |
4: KGGH, U Minh Thuong, Hon Dat and Giong Rieng |
7. Required qualifications
- Medical Doctor or advanced degree in public health, pharmacy, health economics with at least 10-year experience
- Possesses knowledge and understanding of Vietnam’s SHI system, as well as experience working with health facilities on the reimbursement of medical examination and treatment costs through SHI.
- Good knowledge and well understand about Viet Nam Health system, especially national TB program
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Previous experience in supporting provinces and sites related to SHI reimbursement for medical services, especially in TB is an advance.
8. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s experience and qualifications as detailed above.
9.Required Documentation
Proposals must include the following components:
- Applicants’ CV and highest-level degree
- Letter of interest that briefs relevant qualifications and experience
- Proposed daily rate
- FHI 360 Biodata form
10. Application
- Application to this call should be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than 17 October, 2025 with the subject line “SET-Consultant – Advisory support for SHI reimbursement for TB diagnostic testing”
- All prospective vendors must comply with the safeguarding policies of our organization. Any violations of the policies may result in immediate contract termination without liability for the organization.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
11. FHI 360 Disclaimers
- FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected candidates.
- FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award
- FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received
- Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360
- FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow solicitation instructions
- FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation
- FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion
- FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities
- FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition
- FHI 360’s supplier terms and conditions can be found here while our consultant terms and conditions can be found here