Palestine Oncology Hospital Master Plan Consultancy

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the development of a national oncology hospital master plan that allows improved planning and use of internal and external investments in hospital rehabilitation and expansion plans, in line with national cancer priorities and in coordination with overall national health care facility planning.

2. Background

Occupied Palestinian territory (OPt) has a significant burden of Non communicable diseases (NCDs) and an increasing cancer incidence. Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of death responsible for 15.5 % of all deaths. According to the 2019 Ministry of Health (MOH) annual report, the reported number of new cancer cases in West Bank in 2019 was 3,164 cases with an incidence rate of 117.8 per 100,000 population. In 2019, breast cancer was the number one cancer type constituting 16.9% of all cancer cases. Colorectal cancer and lung cancer were reported as the second and the third most common cancers (12.6% and 7.2% of all reported cancers respectively).

Significant increase in the number of new cancer cases has been reported in the country. It is estimated that by the year 2040 the number of new cancer cases in OPt will be more than double the current number. The change in population dynamics (population growth, increased longevity) and improved detection facilities are the main contributors to the rising trend. However, important risk factors like smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity can also have a significant role in the increase of cancer burden.

A steady increase in the number of cancer patients has also been reported in the Gaza Strip from 2011 to 2018. In 2011, the number of new cases detected was 1,037, with an incidence of 65.2 per 100,000 population. The corresponding figures for 2018 were 1,941 and 97.9 per 100,000 population respectively.

The restrictions on movement has serious implications on the cancer clinical pathway, management, and health outcome of patients within OPt, resulting in delay of diagnosis and treatment due to geographical barriers, complicated security procedures and the permit systems . Mobility restrictions affect both the WB and GS although the the situation is more dire and complicated in the latter.

Currently, there are three government hospitals in the West Bank (WB) and three in Gaza Strip (GS), providing cancer services and treatment. Furthermore, the Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) - a non-governmental hospital located in East Jerusalem - is considered the main in-country referral hospital with the most comprehensive tertiary level oncology services and the only one providing radiation therapy services in OPt. The MoH covers the costs of primary, secondary, and tertiary cancer services. Currently, oncology services are primarily provided in general hospitals, while the provision of specialist care often requires referrals for treatment to facilities outside of the MoH hospitals to either AVH in the West Bank or abroad, especially when patients require radiotherapy or advanced diagnostic procedures. In addition to the increased costs related to these referrals, they also lead to patients facing social and logistical challenges due to receiving care far away from home, family and caregivers.

One consistent finding across WB and GS in 2019 was the uncoordinated and independent rehabilitation and expansion plans reported by hospitals, supported by funding from a diverse set of donors. This indicated a donor-driven influence of the agenda, rather than a coordinated and strategic national policy guiding the oncology related development plans and ensuring alignment with overall health system investments. Therefore, a carefully elaborated oncology hospital master plan, that takes in consideration the geographic and political complexities of OPt (Gaza and West Bank) and cancer priorities and needs is of outmost importance to ensure equitable access to quality cancer care.

The Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) is one of the World Health Organization (WHO) projects in close cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) that has been working heavily with stakeholders to strengthen the essential public health functions and the health system in Palestine through the provision of accurate, reliable data and evidence-based information.

The PNIPH is working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to assess and strengthen the current national health system across the different levels of care. The review of oncology health services in Palestine is an opportunity to highlight major gaps and opportunities for improvements, as well as improving the availability, accessibility, quality, and efficiency of oncology services in OPt.

3. Objectives, outputs and deliverables

Outputs:

Deliverable: A National Oncology hospital Master Plan

• Mapping of oncology health services in OPt (WB and GS) with a special focus on rehabilitation and expansion plans and related funding sources;
• Coordination with relevant Ministry of Health units involved in overall national hospital master plan development and implementation;
• Development of a National Oncology Facility/Hospital Master Plan drawing on the above activity outcomes and in line with the recommendations of the Joint WHO/IARC cancer review mission from 2019;
• Ensure that the master plan provides a strategic and sustainable direction to oncology health service planning in OPt and upholds core principles related to equitable access to quality health services and takes in consideration the geographic and political complexities of OPt.

4. Planned timelines

Start date: February 15, 2022

End date: November 15, 2022

- Qualifications required:

Essential: Minimum first university degree in Medicine for lower end of range, an advanced university degree for mid and high end of range

Experience required:

5 to 10 years of experience in public health policy and health programme planning.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships through a diplomatic and inclusive approach;
• Excellent knowledge of cancer continuum of care interventions and planning of cancer prevention and control programmes at national level.

Language requirements:

Excellent English speaking and writing skills. Knowledge of Arabic desirable.

7. Place of assignment

Workplace will be WHO-country office in Ramallah/West Bank and from his home .

A local team/ consultant will support the consultant with the assigned consultancy task and certain activities to facilitate the completion of the consultancy task.

8. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

9. Travel

The incumbent may need to travel to Palestine for work purposes under organizational rules and regulations