PEPFAR: Strengthening the Government of Namibia’s Health Information Systems

Deadline: 20 February 2025

The United States Department of Health and Human Services is seeking grant applications to provide technical assistance to the government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) to strengthen and implement health information systems (HIS), monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies, and surveillance activities.

The goal of this work is to improve the quality, access, and use of data to control the HIV and TB epidemics. This NOFO also supports developing innovative, efficient, and sustainable data systems. This work aims to enhance HIV and TB programs and respond to changing data needs by working with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), and other stakeholders.

Goals

To meet the goals, strategies may include:
- Improving data access and use in and across various laboratory, community, and facility-based systems.
- Enhancing MOHSS-led surveillance systems.
- Strengthening MOHSS’s ability to store and access health data centrally.
- Improving unique identification for health records.
- Introducing technology to automate and increase efficiency.
- Providing technical assistance and capacity building for GRN staff.
- Improving data quality, including timeliness, completeness, and accuracy, across HIS and surveillance systems.

Priorities

This NOFO aims to achieve and maintain epidemic control while making sure that public health systems are built and sustained for broader public health impact. Priorities include:
- Maintaining the treatment cohort at undetectable viral load levels.
- Identifying and preventing new infections.
- Investing in public health systems and response.

Funding Information

Expected total NOFO funding for Year 1: $5,00,000
Expected number of awards: 1 to 3. The number of awards is subject to available funds and program priorities
Duration: They plan to award projects for five 12-month budget periods for a five-year period of performance.

Eligible Activities

Support MOHSS to develop, implement, and maintain HIS and technological solutions for HIV/TB patient and program management and improvement.
Support MOHSS in developing, implementing, and evaluating the country’s e-Health strategies, governance, policies, architecture, and HIS standards.
Develop health informatics capacity of MOHSS professionals.
Strengthen data use for decision-making and effective HIV/TB program management at all levels.
Support the design and implementation of survey and routine surveillance systems to monitor the HIV/TB epidemic and identify public health threats.

Eligibility Criteria

This is a fully competitive NOFO, and eligibility is unrestricted. Any and all types of organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply, including but not limited to those listed below:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations, other than federally recognized tribal governments
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Foreign or non-U.S. based entities.