AID contract with John Snow, Inc. for technical assistance for child care project

Support will focus on USAID"s child survival (CS) emphasis areas: national program sustainability; health information systems; and financing and cost analysis. The project, which will be implemented by John Snow, Inc. (JSI), is a follow-on to the Technology and Resources for Child Health (REACH) project funded under 9365927. JSI will provide quick response, short-term TA to USAID"s, Ministries of Health (MOH"s), PVO"s, and others, in the following areas: design and evaluation of immunization and CS projects; training; information dissemination; introduction of new program elements and technologies (e.g., new vaccines and injection technologies, new urban immunization strategies, etc.); operations research; installation of computerized health and management information systems; financial and cost analysis studies; program sustainability activities (e.g., cost recovery, public sector strengthening, private sector involvement, quality of services, demand creation); and poliomyelitis eradication. JSI will also undertake intensive efforts in ten CS emphasis countries to strengthen national or regional immunization and PHC programs. These efforts could include a long-term in-country resident advisor in addition to the regional resident advisors in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Areas of emphasis will be the same as in the activities noted above. JSI will provide selected commodities to support its TA efforts, including computer hardware and software for national EPI information systems, new technologies, such as non-reusable disposable syringes (to determine their feasibility and cost-effectiveness), and, possibly, educational materials. Finally, JSI will support other activities of a worldwide nature, for example, facilitating coordination between local governments and other donor agencies, such as WHO and UNICEF.