In 2007, TulaSalud began in Alta Verapaz a Telemedicine project supported by the Canadian government. This project was based in the use of mobile telephones as tool to broaden healthcare coverage and set a community alert system. Participation of community facilitators’ from the Coverage Extension Program (Programa de Extensión de Cobertura, PEC) was important in this project, and the outcomes on surveillance and follow-up of risk cases of pregnant women and children were positive. Due to PEC institutionalization process, the roles of PEC community facilitators in this telemedicine project were delegated to nursing assistants hired by the Ministry of Public Health -MSPAS- to provide services in the first level of health care; therefore, they became responsible of data collection in the sectors and areas defined under the new model of service provision in the first level.

In 2016, MSPAS and TulaSalud entered into an agreement to extend the telemedicine actions to four departments: Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango, Quiché, and Sololá, organized in six healthcare areas: Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango, El Quiché, Ixcán, Ixil, and Sololá.

This agreement is valid for 5 years. Its goals are: 1. Improvement of fundamental healthcare service provision in priority regions, and 2. Fostering a greater collection, dissemination, and use of data by community healthcare authorities and personnel in maternal, neonatal, and child groups. To that end, the project includes two great processes: a. eSalud services, and b. telemedicine apps through Kawok tools.

MSPAS requires to carry out the cost-benefit study agreed on in the MSPAS/TulaSalud framework agreement as input for the decision-making on the institutionalization of eSalud and telemedicine processes. This study is defined within the SIXTH clause, item C of the MSPAS/TulaSalud agreement which literally reads: “According to the Project outcomes and the cost-benefit analysis, the Ministry will yearly assess the institutionalization, taking into consideration the budget availability managed for such effect”. Therefore, the following terms of reference are created so experts in the matter may develop such study in healthcare areas during the 2016-2020 term.

Health and Education Policy Plus in collaboration with the Ministry of Health call organizations interested to submit technical and financial proposals that allow developing the cost-benefit study of TulaSalud interventions within the framework of its agreement with MSPAS in six healthcare areas during the 2016-2020 terms.

REQUIREMENTS

Offering organizations must comply with the following criteria:

• Technical team including professionals in Economic Sciences, Social Sciences, Politics, and related fields.
• 6-year minimum experience in developing cost-benefit studies, ideally in the healthcare sector in Guatemala.
• Experience in and knowledge on how public management and public policies on healthcare run.
• Work experience with Ministry of Health services.
• Work experience in the departments where MSPAS/TulaSalud interventions are to be implemented, desirable.
• Formally organized and registered in Guatemala.

Guidelines for submission of proposal:
Interested parties should send inquires to Suzette Higueros (Suzette.Higueros@thepalladiumgroup.com)

Interested organizations must submit the following:

Administrative documentation

• Copy of document that proves its corporate status
• Certificate of legal representation
• Taxpayer’s ID
• Interest letter

Technical proposal

• Description and main proof of the offering party’s work experience in similar processes and previous performance in the required fields.
• Recommendation letters of previous jobs.
• Technical proposal:
  • Technical and methodological approach and scope of work
  • Activities, deliverables, and means of verification
  • Timeline
  • Staff and roles

Financial proposal

• Budget
• Description of budget items

Documentation must be submitted in a closed envelope addressed to: Suzette Higueros; with the subject “Cost-Benefit Study” and be delivered at the office of HEP+ Guatemala (2ª. Avenida 15-24 zona 10) from February 22 to March 9, 2021, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.