Dear IHD Colleagues,
Below is our monthly IHD update outlining recent happenings in the Division. We look forward to receiving any feedback you may wish to share with us.
Abt Awarded Five-year USAID Kyrgyzstan Tuberculosis Program
The five-year Kyrgyzstan TB Program (August 2014-August 2019) with total funding of $12.7M is designed to reduce the burden of TB and the development of drug-resistant TB in the Kyrgyz Republic. The program aims to support universal and equitable access to high-quality TB services for vulnerable populations through a strengthened health system. TB is a significant public health issue in the Kyrgyz Republic, which has one of the highest incidence rates in the region at 128 cases per 100,000 population in 2011. The project builds on more than 20 years of Abt’s work in the former Soviet countries of Central Asia to support strengthened health systems and institutions, health financing reform, and quality service delivery, promoting efficient, accessible, patient-centered health care. The project will be led initially by Deputy Project Director Dr. Roza Adilbekova, MD. Dr. Adilbekova brings over 14 years of experience designing, managing, and implementing TB activities in Central Asia. The portfolio manager in Bethesda is Jeff Barnes, the technical and quality assurance advisor is Martha Benezet, and the technical coordinator is Sara Feinstein. Almagul Saparbayeva is the finance and contracts administrator. Contact: martha_benezet@abtassoc.com.
PATHS2-Nigeria Project Extended for Two Years
UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has approved a two-year funded extension for the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems PATHS2 project, through July 2016. This will allow PATHS2 to manage an effective transition in Northern Nigeria (Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa States) to a new DFID project (MNCH2) over a six-month period. At the same time, the project will expand support to the public and private health sectors in Lagos and Enugu, with the objective of continuing to improve access and quality of pro-poor maternal and child health services in those two states. Contact: Mike Egboh, Chief of Party at m.egboh@paths2.org or robert_bonardi@abtassoc.com.
Another Strategic Win – This Time on Gender
The ADVANTAGE award is a five-year (2014-2019) USAID IDIQ with a US$74M ceiling on which Abt will serve as a subcontractor to dTS. This project aims to further integrate gender across USAID’s work. Task orders are expected to focus on technical assistance, training, organizational analysis, and communications. Abt will contribute knowledge and resources from both IHD and IEG to help USAID achieve its goal of inclusive development. Contact: abigail_donner@abtassoc.com.
SHOPS Convenes Private Health Providers and Stakeholders in Nigeria
To identify the number of private providers and better understand their role in providing health care, particularly their contribution to family planning/reproductive health and maternal and child health services, SHOPS Nigeria conducted a private provider census in six target states. SHOPS presented the findings to and discussed the issue of fragmentation (isolated providers not connected to one another or to a support system for commodity procurement, association membership, communications with the government, etc.) with 240 private health providers and stakeholders at a one-day seminar in Abuja. The USAID Mission Director opened the event reiterating the importance of the private health sector. Attendees debated the business practices of private health providers, challenges in access to finance, and the advantages of group practice. Contact jeffrey_barnes@abtassoc.com.
Peru Project Publishes in Special eHealth Issue of Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública
eHealth—the use of information and communication technologies to support health—can be a strategic tool for improving access, expanding coverage, and increasing the efficiency of health systems. Abt’s USAID-funded Políticas en Salud project in Peru recently published an article in the Pan American Health Organization’s public health journal (Spanish only) describing a study that examined the challenges of implementing an electronic health information system (HIS) within the public sector in Peru. Results concluded that implementation of an efficient HIS system faces a multitude of challenges including lack of planning and coordination resulting in parallel systems, economic limitations, technological and connectivity challenges, as well as cultural, organizational, and geographic factors. Contact: jose_revoredo@polsalud.org.
Côte d’Ivoire Push to Endorse Key National Health Sector Reform
Currently, the utilization of public health services in Côte d’Ivoire is weak, estimated at just 26 percent. In March 2014, Côte d’Ivoire voted to carry out the Universal Health Coverage initiative so that the Ivorian populations, especially the most vulnerable groups who live in harder-to-reach areas, are able to access health services more effectively. To help inform this national effort, the Ivorian Minister of Health and other government officials approved a sweeping plan in August to decentralize various operational, managerial, and financial functions through a National Health Sector Reform process supported by the Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project. Contact: lisa_nichols@abtassoc.com.
HFG Looks at Implementation Research for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
On August 27, HFG held its 4th brown bag lunch discussion, “Towards Ending Extreme Poverty:
Investing in UHC in Indonesia,” at USAID offices in Washington. The discussion centered on Indonesia’s implementation of an ambitious national health insurance program aimed at moving along the path toward attaining UHC. The discussion shared lessons learned about the first steps of a program of implementation research to guide UHC. Speakers included Kristina Yarrow, Health Advisor, Asia and Middle East Bureau, USAID; Joe Naimoli, Health Systems Research Advisor, Office of Health Systems, USAID; and Rena Eichler, HFG.
“How Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Works” Video
In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is the leading cause of death among children under five. The AIRS project is working to stop malaria from spreading by using long-lasting insecticide that is sprayed on the walls, ceilings, and surfaces inside homes where malaria-carrying mosquitoes rest before and after feeding. This animation video shows how IRS works. Contact: laura_mccarty@abtassoc.com.
Does Your Study Need Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review? If Not Sure, Ask!
The IRB helps ensure compliance with all relevant U.S. and local laws by reviewing study protocols, informed consent documents, and procedures to protect study participants and the confidentiality of their data. By law, the IRB review has to occur BEFORE study participants are recruited or BEFORE research data are obtained. Examples of studies that may require IRB review are surveys/focus groups/interviews with people about reproductive health or family planning. An example of a study that does not require IRB review by the IRB would be interviews with stakeholders (e.g., health officials, government leaders) about non-sensitive topics such as how their program operates. Many countries have their own IRBs that also need to review and approve Abt studies. Check with officials such as the ministry of health or local universities. To submit your study to the Abt IRB for screening and/or review, fill out the one-page IRB Form A on AGI and email it to IRB@abtassoc.com. For additional IRB information, visit AGI -> Projects -> IRB or contact the Abt IRB Administrator, Katie Speanburg at irb@abtassoc.com or Laurel_Hatt@abtassoc.com, IHD IRB member. If in doubt, ask! The Abt IRB is here to help. It’s easy, quick, and could save you time and money later on.
Upcoming Conferences: Abstract Due Dates, Notification Dates, and Acceptances
If you plan to submit an abstract or have an abstract accepted, please notify Liz Nugent.
45th Union World Conference on Lung Health (September 30-October 3, 2014, Barcelona, Spain) – 3 abstracts accepted
Third Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (September 30-October 3, 2014, Cape Town, South Africa) – 13 abstracts accepted
American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) (November 2-6, 2014, New Orleans, LA) –– 7 abstracts accepted plus one oral presentation as part of a symposium
APHA (November 15-19, 2014, New Orleans, LA) – 6 abstracts accepted, 5 wait listed
Global mHealth Forum (December 10-11, 2014, Maryland) – 10 abstracts submitted
14th World Congress on Public Health (February 11-15, 2015, Kolkata, India) – 2 abstracts submitted
Population Association of America (April 30-May 2, 2015, San Diego, CA) – Abstracts due September 26
Welcomes, Goodbyes – A Sampling
Welcome: Anina Tardif-Douglin, Lowrey Redmond
Goodbye: Michele Abbott, Alyssa Erickson, Christina Juan, Avril Kaplan, Marc Luoma, Stephen Rahaim
Looking to Hire
The below positions are currently available in the U.S and the U.K. All IHD openings can be found at: www.abtassociates.com/careers.
· Principal Associate / Portfolio Manager -Abt GB, Req ID 10343 – Posted 08/14/2014
· Senior Finance & Contract Analyst, HFG, Req ID 8721 – Posted 7/14/2014
SAVE THE DATE!
September 16 - Social Marketing and Behavior Change Methods Center presentation: Sex, Soap Operas, and Social Change, Bill Ryerson president and founder of Population Media Center (kate_cho@abtassoc.com)
September 17 – IHD Global Staff Meeting (Capitol Rm)
Sent to ALL IHD US & Field