Strengthening the national health information system HIS Consultant

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in strengthening the national health information system, in terms of standardizing registration of death registration and information, improve reporting systems, and build capacity on medical certification of causes of death, using ICD coding standard mechanisms.

2. Background

Mortality data play a fundamental role in measuring planning and monitoring public health outcomes. Complete registration of deaths involves not only capturing death but also the describing details of the cause of death. The lack of information in cause of death data limits the detection of emerging diseases and conditions, and the Identification of areas where medical research may have the greatest impact and hence hinders subsequent actions by decision makers. Also, it can hamper the allocation and distribution of resources within health sector and monitoring of programmes, including those relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 13 and 16.

Libya has come a long way in the improvement of its Civil registration and Vital statistics (CRVS) system. Libya’s CRVS rapid assessment was completed in December 2012, followed by comprehensive assessment in 2015. The CRVS comprehensive assessment concluded that death registration is more than 95% and there is complete access to civil registration services. These assessments led to the development of the national health information strategic plan in 2017. In 2020, the Health Information Centre (HIC), in collaboration with the WHO, published Libya’s first cause of death report for the years 2016-2017.

Presently, the main challenges in death registration processes are the incompleteness and poor quality of causes of death certification, in addition to the lack of clear guidance for physicians and civil registrars on reporting mortality. Another challenge with Libyan CRVS system is the lack of coders trained in international classification of diseases (ICD).

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 01/01/2023

End date: 30/05/2023

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Develop SOP to report on death registration system.

Deliverable 1.1: Conduct a desk review of the national documents and WHO global guidelines on standard death certification and reporting mechanism.

Deliverable 1.2: Define clear SOP that describes all activities to be undertaken by physicians with regards to cause of death completion.

Deliverable 1.3: Liaise with the Civil Registration Authority on the SOP for civil registrars.

Deliverable 1.4: Lead discussion and endorsement process of the developed SOP with Civil Registration Authority, Health Information Centre of MoH, and WHO counterparts at national and regional level (Science, Information and Dissemination department).

Deliverable 1.5: Review the birth and death forms incorporated in Libya DHIS2 platform and check their relevancy to WHO 2016 MCCD to capture all required information.

Deliverable 1.6: Develop a mechanism to integrate birth form and death form of DHIS2 with CRVS and hospitals and to improve the data collection process.

Deliverable 1.7: Prepare a comprehensive report on the endorsed SOP of death certification and reporting

Output 2: Develop a plan for implementation of ICD coding in hospitals’ recording system.

Deliverable 2.1: Identify a list for ICD coders from MoH workforce, based on qualifications and job’s requirements

Deliverable 2.2: Develop a training plan for implementation of ICD coding at hospitals, include required trainings, supporting tools, and required resources, in coordination with MoH health information centre, and WHO Country office, and regional FPs.

Deliverable 2.3: Prepare and submit monthly progress reports on conducted activities and delivered products.

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Minimum first University degree in medicine, public health, or relevant field.

Experience required:

5 to 6 years of relevant experience in health information and mortality statistics.

Skills / technical skills and knowledge:

Excellent knowledge of Libyan CRVS system.

Excellent communication, advocacy, and people skills.

Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholders and building capacity.

Language requirements:

Fluent (Read - Write - Speak) in English and Arabic.

6. Place of assignment

Tripoli, Libya

7.Medical clearance

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

8. Travel

No travel is required by the consultant.

Additional information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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