The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI, in partnership with its India affiliate William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF), works in close partnership with and under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) at the Central and States' levels on an array of high priority initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes. Currently, CHAI works across projects to expand access to quality care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis-C (HCV), tuberculosis, cancer, and immunization.

Market Diagnostic Study for Multi-Micronutrients and Caffeine Citrate

A quarter of the women of reproductive age in India are undernourished and about 52% of pregnant women are deficient in one or more nutrients in their diet. Multi-Micronutrient supplements along with a good antenatal care program goes a long way in ensuring good health for pregnant women and significantly improves birth outcomes. Globally, 7% of neonates born at 34 to 35 weeks gestation, 15% at 32 to 33 weeks, 54% at 30 to 31 weeks and nearly all infants born at 28 weeks develop apnea. Studies have shown the incidence rate of Apnea in neonates in India to be 19.9%. Caffeine Citrate is an effective treatment for Apnea of Prematurity but access to it remains restricted in the public and private health systems in India

As part of a multi-country initiative, we will undertake a study to better understand lack of access of both caffeine citrate (CC) and antenatal multiple-micronutrient supplements (MMS) across selected LMICs, including India, and deliver practical and evidence-based recommendations for resolving the root causes and enabling the scale up of both lifesaving commodities in the public and private sectors. In particular, we intend to study issues of availability, affordability, quality, and serviceability of CC and MMS which in-turn are determined by healthcare and pharmaceuticals policy, provider practise, and system performance. This body of work will develop formative ideas for improving access.

Role

Through the four-month study period, the Volunteer will assist in scoping, mapping, assessing, and synthesizing findings on market characterization analysis of MMS and CC in select geographies. In addition, the Volunteer will also work on developing recommendations and potential solutions to facilitate the scale-up of UNIMMAP-compliant MMS and Caffeine Citrate.

We seek a highly motivated individual with strong problem solving and research skills. The successful candidate will also have excellent communications skills, be able to function independently with flexibility in a dynamic and often uncertain situation and thrive in challenging environments, and have a strong commitment to excellence.

Sources:

https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/womens-nutrition#:~:text=A%20quarter%20of%20women%20of,an%20intergenerational%20cycle%20of%20undernutrition.

https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/health-fitness/iron-deficiency-symptoms-in-pregnant-women-and-risks-in-the-pandemic-6723533/

https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-women-everywhere-deserve-the-essential-15-for-a-healthy-pregnancy-99838

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3158333/

https://www.ijpediatrics.com/index.php/ijcp/article/view/539

https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-women-everywhere-deserve-the-essential-15-for-a-healthy-pregnancy-99838

• Support in gathering, reviewing, and synthesizing publicly available information on in-country and UP, Bihar specific market landscape (both demand and supply side) of MMS and current standards (eg IFAS and other pregnancy supplements) and CC and current standards (e.g., other Methylxanthines)
• Collect data from publicly available government and other databases and conduct interviews with stakeholders to understand procurement, guidelines, and regulations around MMS/CC
• Conduct, analyze, and assess in-person and virtual stakeholder interviews and site visits across the value chain of Multi-micronutrient and Caffeine citrate supplements including but not limited to manufacturers, stockists, retailers, providers to develop a market landscape of MMS/CC
• Schedule and conduct interviews with selected healthcare workers, providers, and relevant stakeholders (NICU staff, neonatologist and professional associations) to assess treatment protocols, awareness, utilization and recommendations for approaches to address knowledge, and utilization gaps related to MMS/CC
• Conduct end user interviews to understand perceptions and usage behavior
• Schedule & conduct interviews with targeted suppliers
• Work with team to design strategies on increasing broader adoption of MMS and CC
• Other responsibilities as needed

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, management, economics, engineering, computer science, statistics, operations research areas
• Minimum 12 months of relevant work experience in public health analytics, consulting, or pharma

Skill Sets:

• Entrepreneurial mindset, including the ability to work independently, self-motivate, and propose and implement new initiatives
• Strong problem-solving skills and a positive, solution-oriented approach to challenges
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities and work independently
• Preference would be given to candidates with strong experience in program support in public health or social work programs, with focus on program management/monitoring experience
• Willingness to travel as and when required for work purposes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Data Visualization Tools is necessary

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