1.1.     Request for Proposals – Service Notice

1.1.1.        Nutrition International (NI), a non-profit agency dedicated to eliminating vitamin and mineral deficiencies worldwide, invites proposals from competent agencies to Support Implementation of Zinc & Lo ORS Program Activities in FY 2025-26

1.2.     Background

1.2.1.        Childhood diarrhoea is a major cause of child mortality in Pakistan. According to UNICEF report published in 2019, every 12^th child under the age of five (05), dies due to diarrhoea or its related complications in Pakistan. These deaths can be prevented by simple, cost-effective intervention at the household level, if all children suffering from diarrhoea receive timely treatment through Zinc and LOORS combination. PDHS (2017-2018) revealed 19% prevalence of diarrhoea in Pakistan; of these 41% received ORS and only 8% of children received the recommended treatment of zinc and LO-ORS.

1.2.2.        Nutrition International (NI) supports the GoP in improving the utilisation of zinc and LOORS for the management of childhood diarrhoea in Pakistan. The focus of this support is to fill in the gaps that had been identified through a landscape analysis and devised a strategy to address them through technical and operational support in policy formulation, supply chain management, capacity building, program monitoring and community awareness.

1.2.3.        NI launched the demonstration project in district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan from 2014-2017. The demonstration project was later (2017- 2019) scaled up to Sindh and Punjab provinces through capacity building of the health force and master trainers; media workshop;  and SMSs to LHWs and LHSs etc. Under the "Improved Provision of Services for Childhood Diarrhea Treatment by LHWs" after consulting with the KP government, NI facilitated the training of master trainers, Lady Health Supervisors (LHSs) and Lady Health Workers (LHWs) of all districts of KP province from 2023-24. NI also provided Zinc and LOORS for LHWs of KP in FY 2024-25. In partnership with Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM) from 2021 to 2023, NI worked to integrate Zinc and LOORS into GSM's social franchise model in KP, Punjab, and Sindh. Furthermore, through a project with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) focused on "integrated health and nutrition intervention," NI conducted community sensitization campaigns in Balochistan and KP, promoting the use of zinc and LOORS alongside other essential interventions like Early Childhood Development, immunization, good nutrition, and Healthy Timing & Spacing Pregnancies (HTSP) etc.

1.2.4.        Moving forward, NI plans to collaborate with both government and private sector partners to further improve the uptake of Zinc and LOORS through a variety of activities which include advocacy, capacity building, supplies, raising awareness etc.

1.2.5.        Nutrition International (NI) proposes to continue supporting the Government of Pakistan by involving private and public sector at provincial levels to improve the uptake of zinc and LOORS. This support will encompass various program activities, including orientation sessions for general practitioners, training for chemists and pharmacists on zinc and LoORS, seminars, and advocacy efforts with the government to ensure adequate procurement of these essential commodities etc. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to reducing the child mortality from diarrhoea-related complications.

1.2.6.        This Request for Proposals (RFP) and particularly the Guidelines for Preparing Proposals that follow, are designed to help Respondents to produce proposals that are acceptable to the NI, and to ensure that all proposals are given equal consideration. It is essential, therefore, that Respondents provide the complete information that is requested, and in the formats and on the terms specified.

DETAILED RFP ATTACHED FOR REFERENCE