CFPs: Newborn Screening Program Assessment and Implementation in Indonesia

Deadline: 03-Sep-2026

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking a qualified consulting institution to assess, cost, and develop an implementation framework for scaling up Indonesia’s national newborn screening (NBS) programme. The assignment will evaluate current screening coverage and quality, assess health-system and laboratory capacity, develop a costing analysis, and produce a phased national roadmap for expanding newborn screening services. What Is the WHO Newborn Screening Consultancy? The World Health Organization is seeking a consulting institution to support Indonesia in strengthening and scaling up its national newborn screening programme. The consultancy will generate evidence and practical recommendations to help the Indonesian health system improve the availability, quality, coverage, and sustainability of newborn screening services. The work will support national strategic planning and help decision-makers determine the resources and investments required to institutionalize newborn screening across Indonesia. Why Newborn Screening Matters in Indonesia Birth defects and congenital conditions are important public health concerns because they can contribute to neonatal and infant mortality, long-term disability, and significant social and economic costs for families and health systems. Indonesia has therefore identified newborn screening (NBS) as an important component of its national health strategy. Under a 2025 policy, newborn screening is mandated in all delivery care facilities for: - Congenital hypothyroidism - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - G6PD deficiency Early identification of these conditions can support timely diagnosis, treatment, referral, and follow-up.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The main objective is to develop evidence-based recommendations for the strategic planning and scale-up of Indonesia’s newborn screening programme. The selected institution will be expected to: - Assess the current quality and coverage of NBS services. - Evaluate programme performance. - Review health-service delivery arrangements. - Assess laboratory and diagnostic capacity. - Identify barriers and enabling factors affecting service utilization. - Conduct a comprehensive programme costing. - Develop a national implementation framework. - Prepare a phased scale-up roadmap. - Support the institutionalization and sustainability of newborn screening. Key Areas of Work The consultancy will cover several interconnected components of Indonesia’s newborn screening system. Policy and Guideline Review The consulting institution will review relevant national policies, strategies, technical guidelines, and implementation arrangements related to newborn screening. This assessment will help identify policy gaps, inconsistencies, and areas requiring strengthening. Service Delivery Assessment The consultant will examine how newborn screening is currently delivered across the health system.

The assessment will consider:

- Screening coverage - Service availability - Referral mechanisms - Follow-up systems - Quality of services - Operational barriers - Institutional arrangements Laboratory Capacity Assessment Laboratory systems are essential to an effective newborn screening programme. The assignment will therefore assess laboratory capacity, including relevant infrastructure, processes, resources, and systems supporting newborn screening. Barriers and Enablers The consultancy will identify factors that influence whether families can access and complete newborn screening services.

This may include examining:

- Health-service accessibility - Awareness and demand - Referral pathways - Geographic barriers - Health-system capacity - Institutional coordination - Follow-up mechanisms Field Assessments Field assessments will be conducted in selected provinces and districts to understand implementation conditions at subnational level.

The assignment includes travel to:

- Jakarta - Papua Barat - East Java These field activities will complement the broader desk-based assessment. Stakeholder Consultations The selected institution will facilitate technical consultations with relevant stakeholders. Regular coordination will be required with the Ministry of Health of Indonesia and WHO. Stakeholder engagement will help ensure that the proposed implementation framework reflects national priorities and operational realities. Newborn Screening Costing Analysis A major component of the assignment is a comprehensive costing analysis. The analysis is expected to help policymakers understand the resources required to implement and expand newborn screening services. The costing work will support decisions concerning: - Programme expansion - Health-system investments - Laboratory capacity - Service delivery - Human resources - Implementation phases - Resource allocation The results should provide an evidence base for determining how Indonesia can sustainably scale up NBS nationally. National Implementation Framework and Roadmap The selected consulting institution will develop a national implementation framework and roadmap for phased expansion. The framework should provide a practical pathway for moving from the current programme to broader national institutionalization.

It is expected to address:

- Implementation priorities - Phased expansion - Institutional responsibilities - Required resources - Service delivery capacity - Laboratory systems - Coordination mechanisms - Monitoring and evaluation - Sustainability Where Will the Consultancy Take Place? The assignment will primarily be conducted remotely, but field travel is required.

The specified locations include:

- Jakarta - Papua Barat - East Java The consultant will also maintain regular communication and coordination with WHO and Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. Consultancy Duration The total working duration is 120 days. The assignment is scheduled to take place between November 2026 and March 2027. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is open to qualified consultin