Request for Proposals

Request for Proposals - Support implementation of Zinc & LOORS Program activities in FY 2025-26

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.

Childhood diarrhoea is a major cause of child mortality in Pakistan. According to a UNICEF report published in 2019, every 12th child under the age of five dies due to diarrhoea or its related complications in Pakistan. These deaths can be prevented by simple, cost-effective interventions at the household level if all children suffering from diarrhoea receive timely treatment through Zinc and LOORS combination. PDHS (2017-2018) revealed a 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.

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

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 workshops; and SMSs to LHWs and LHSs. Under the "Improved Provision of Services for Childhood Diarrhea Treatment by LHWs," 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).

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

Nutrition International (NI) proposes to continue supporting the Government of Pakistan by involving private and public sectors 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. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to reducing child mortality from diarrhoea-related complications.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) and particularly the Guidelines for Preparing Proposals that follow are designed to help Respondents produce proposals that are acceptable to 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

For the purpose of requesting information and clarification or for any other purpose relating to this RFP, proponents are to contact only the Contracting Authority for this RFP.

Correspondence via e-mail sent to: proposalspakistan@nutritionintl.org

All communication concerning this RFP is to be in writing clearly marked with the name and title of the Contracting Authority and the number of this RFP. The request will specify the RFP section and page number as applicable.

All communication concerning this RFP is to be sent to the Contracting Authority by courier or hand delivery at the above noted address, by facsimile at the above noted facsimile number, or by e-mail at the above noted e-mail address. NI will not be responsible for the delivery of any communication. NI recommends the Proponent confirm receipt of all communications with the Contracting Authority.

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