Request for Proposals [closes Feb 1 2022]: Civil Society Organizations Developing Campaigns for Hepatitis B Birth Dose Advocacy in Africa

Request for Proposals [closes Feb 1 2022]: Civil Society Organizations Developing Campaigns for Hepatitis B Birth Dose Advocacy in Africa

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver cancer in Africa. Children infected with HBV at birth are at highest risk for remaining infected for life. One in four newborns infected with HBV die early from liver disease and cancer. A timely dose of hepatitis B vaccine to newborns can prevent most of these infections. However, less than 10% of newborns receive a timely dose of hepatitis B vaccine. 

The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination and US CDC are working together to support African countries in introducing and scaling hepatitis B birth dose vaccine

To protect Africa’s future generations against HBV infection, the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE) at the Task Force for Global Health together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO AFRO are helping African countries increase the number of newborns receiving this life saving intervention.  CGHE is bringing together key partners in 35 African countries including the Ministries of Health, clinicians, civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other global partners. CGHE and partners identified as a major challenge the lack of knowledge and awareness of the importance of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination among pregnant women, healthcare workers and policy makers.  

The request for proposals (RFP) 

To improve awareness of the importance of hepB birth dose vaccination among the public and policy makers, the CGHE is seeking request for funding applications from national and regional CSOs in Africa. Preference will be given to CSOs with experience in health promotions for infant immunization and maternal child health in African countries that have not introduced the birth dose (Figure). 

CSO Graphic

The target groups for this awareness campaign include 1) healthcare providers, 2) community leaders and policy-makers and 3) pregnant women. Specifically, for each target group, the CSOs will:

  • Develop infographics and audio/visual recordings with key messages to increase HepB-BD awareness and knowledge using local language(s) as appropriate
  • Share and communicate the key messages with the target groups through development of media campaign (implementation of campaign aimed at pregnant women will be implemented once the birth dose is made available given the ethical challenges of awareness raising for intervention not yet available) 
  • Hold at least 1 high-level meeting with Ministry of Health officials and other policy makers to secure support for introduction and/or scale-up of HepB-BD

These activities will be carried out over a period of six months. Materials developed through this exercise will be shared with CGHE and can be adapted by other countries 

CGHE will provide grants of up to USD 10,000 to support this work. CGHE will also provide technical assistance as needed. Funding for the awards is provided by the US CDC.

Proposal requirements

Interested CSOs should submit a short proposal (max 3000 words) providing the following information:

  • Organization name
  • Country address including web site 
  • Contact person
  • Previous campaigns in hepatitis vaccination, infant vaccination or maternal-child health  
  • Proposed scope of activities and anticipated impact of proposed activities — up to 750 words plus up to two figures or tables 
  • Itemized budget (max amount USD 10,000)

Timeline

Submit the proposal via email to globalhep@taskforce.org by February /1/2022.

To discuss the expected CSO activities and respond to questions about the RFP, CGHE will hold a webinar on January 19 2022 at 14:00 CET/16:00 EAT/08:00 EST. Please register here. [This webinar has passed. Please see the webinar recording below].

Questions and comments can be submitted via email: globalhep@taskforce.org.

 

Page last updated: 22 August 2023