TIFA Zimbabwe Call for Concept Papers: Strengthening NTP capacity in DR-TB (Drug Resistant TB) management in Zimbabwe through implementation of DR-TB site Concilia and Centers of Excellence (CoE)

The Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA), implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), is announcing a call for concept papers (CCP) for Health Commitment Grant (HCG) from eligible and qualified organizations in Zimbabwe. Organizations selected through this CCP will be invited to participate in a co-design process aimed at establishing Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) site Concilia across all DR-TB sites within four designated provinces (Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Harare, and Bulawayo), as well as two DR-TB Centers of Excellence (CoE) in Harare and Bulawayo. JSI/TIFA intends to allocate two fixed-amount grants, each totaling USD 250,000. One grant will support the establishment of the Concilia sites across four provinces (Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Harare, and Bulawayo), and the second grant will fund the establishment of two Centers of Excellence (COEs), one in Harare and one in Bulawayo, including support activities for the Concilia site. Eligible and qualified organizations are invited to submit applications for one or both opportunities. The grant will be implemented in coordination with the Zimbabwe National TB Program (NTP) under the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). The maximum grant amount is USD 250,000, and the grant period will not exceed 10 months. Priority will be given to immediate commencement and the completion of all activities and deliverables by March 31, 2027.

Applications are to be submitted via Google Form. The link can be found on page 7 in Part D of the Call for Concept Papers.

Activities will include:

• Rollout of the DR-TB site Concilia and 2 CoE: Provide comprehensive support to the NTP to constitute and establish onsite DR-TB Concilia across all DR-TB sites in the four stated provinces, alongside one CoE in Harare (serving the Northern region) and one in Bulawayo (serving the Southern region). The objective is to institutionalize onsite DR-TB Concilia to assist in making appropriate decisions on DR-TB enrollment, regimen selection, monitoring of treatment response, managing side effects, assigning outcomes, and running monthly patient reviews. The CoEs will serve as referral sites providing technical and clinical support for complex and difficult cases.
   
• Training, Data management and reporting: Support the training of DR-TB Concilia and CoEs in DR-TB management, ambulatory care, and recording and reporting using national tools, including the DR-TB Tracker being rolled out. This also covers the assignment of interim and final outcomes for accurate cohort analysis.
   
• Infrastructure Optimization and Sustainability: Ensure project cost-efficiency and long-term viability by leveraging existing site resources. The applicant must maximize the utility of currently deployed hardware (computers), established internet connectivity, existing power systems, and lab services at DR-TB sites, thereby minimizing award costs and fostering MoHCC ownership.