Consultant – Integration of Traditional & Complementary Medicine in the National Health System (2503078)

Purpose of consultancy

A consultant is required to support a comprehensive policy review and development via on-site situational analysis and consultation meeting on Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) contextualized in Pacific Island Countries in line with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025 – 2034 and the Regional Framework for Harnessing Traditional and Complementary Medicine for Achieving Health and Well-being in the Western Pacific.

Background

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) is widely used in the Western Pacific Region. Many families and communities use T&CM as the first line of healthcare for conditions ranging from minor ailments to severe diseases. This is particularly true in many Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs), where access to conventional health services is limited. Integrating T&CM into national health systems at the primary healthcare (PHC) level, based on country-specific contexts and priorities and informed by evidence, may support countries more effectively address these challenges and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In this context, the WHO Regional Framework for Harnessing Traditional and Complementary Medicine for Achieving Health and Well-being in the Western Pacific focuses on strengthening context-specific mechanisms to ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of T&CM.

Furthermore, aligned with the UHC2030 recommendations, there is potential for community engagement in PICs in determining the role of their traditional medicine in advancing PHC and UHC towards the vision of Healthy Islands. A review of existing literature from Pacific Island Countries (PICs) revealed a large amount of ethnographic and preclinical research on traditional medicine and a small amount of effectiveness research. There has also been a noticeable increase in global studies, some of which hold potential relevance for application within the PICs. Studies with the greatest impact often involved active participation from communities.

Discussions also underscored the importance of issues such as intellectual property rights (IPR), biodiversity conservation, and the protection of endangered species, reinforcing the need for coordinated, multisectoral action.

Focusing on the area of WHO support in Papua New Guinea, one of the target countries in the Pacific, until 2025, it was noted that PNG’s progress since the establishment of the Policy includes areas such as T&CM regulation, documentation, and research. It was further highlighted that T&CM is a multisectoral field, requiring multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration, which can be expanded to other PICs. Communication with the key stakeholders include government agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations. WHO will further support assessment of the T&CM landscape in PICs in response to the MS request to guide the next steps to support integration of safe and quality T&CM in the Western Pacific Region. Through this consultancy, it is expected that health system strengthening in the Region will better address the principles of health equity, quality, efficiency, accountability, resilience, and sustainability, with people and communities, highlighting underserved and populations with limited access to health services.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Technical Officer for Traditional Medicine in the WHO Regional Office in Western Pacific, the consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Output 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Situation Analysis (CSA) on the landscape of T&CM in Pacific Island Countries (PICs)

The CSA aims to inform WHO on the up-to-date knowledge that can contribute to the implementation of the Regional Framework, with emphasis on the 2nd strategic objective: Strengthening context-specific mechanisms to ensure quality and safety of T&CM. Depending on the context of each country in the Pacific, the CSA components may include SWOT analysis based on policy directions and the identification of priority areas requiring more information, including but not limited to: relevant legislations and policies, governance and public awareness; financing and pricing; Guidelines for Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) and other quality control materials; procurement and supply management (storage and distribution); traditional and rational uses; prescribing/dispensing; promotion (advertising and health claims); safety monitoring; documentation, inventory, and research; education and training; service delivery; T&CM workforce; quality of care; protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs), preservation of biodiversity of medicinal plants.

Deliverable 1.1: Compilation and analysis of desktop reviews to inform the prioritization of areas for in-depth evaluation. The review will draw upon international case studies and other relevant documentation to support the analysis.

Deliverable 1.2: Field trip report on T&CM practices in at least minimum of two identified provinces, possibility aimed at visiting the relevant sites in community, institutions/manufacturing facilities/health facilities and other relevant site with public health implication.

Deliverable 1.3: Draft CSA report concluding with a section on policy options, priority areas and scope of the policy.

Output 2: Preparation for and Facilitation of the national key stakeholders’ consultation on T&CM in line with the WHO framework

Deliverable 2.1: Draft program and background documents for the consultation. Key focus may include supporting the drafting of the national policy framework on traditional medicine through a contextualized approach: revising or updating existing policies (if already established).

Deliverable 2.2: Draft presentations and communication materials for the consultation.

Deliverable 2.3: Draft summary report from the consultation including the draft policy framework according to country progress.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree related to health, social sciences and other related fields.

Desirable: Post-graduate degree in public health

Experience:

Essential: Minimum 5 years of experience in health-related scientific projects and/or public health research.

Desirable: With relevant research experience on traditional or conventional medicine with focus on products/practitioners/services, integration models of traditional and complementary medicine or health systems related issues.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Technical knowledge in traditional and complementary medicine; skills for conducting public health research; skills for systematic literature review; and skills for data analysis

Languages and level required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Location

On site: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Travel

The consultant may be expected to undertake in-country duty travel. Dates and destination(s) to be confirmed.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: Pay Band B – US$ 400/day

Expected duration of contract: 2 months, 1 October to 31 December 2025

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