National Consultant

**Contractual Arrangement**: External consultant

**Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)**: 7 months

**Job Posting**: May 3, 2025, 9:38:33 AM

**Closing Date**: May 17, 2025, 4:59:00 PM

**Primary Location**: Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur

**Organization**: WP_MYS Malaysia

**Schedule**: Part-time

**Purpose of the consultancy**:
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore in the implementation of activities aiming to address vision and hearing impairments, including increasing access to health services and promoting disability inclusion.

**Background**:
Vision and hearing impairments are significant public health concerns in Malaysia, affecting the quality of life and productivity of those impacted. In addition to strengthening health services to address these sensory impairments, disability inclusion is crucial to ensure that individuals with impairments can participate fully in society.

Vision impairment in Malaysia is a prevalent issue, with an estimated 4 million people experiencing some form of vision loss, including 160,000 who are blind. The primary causes of vision impairment include uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. Uncorrected refractive errors account for 48% of low vision cases, while cataracts contribute to 36%. Amongst other initiatives, following the global SPECS 2030 initiative, Malaysia has started the MySPECS, which aims to increase effective refractive error coverage.

Hearing impairment is another significant concern, often going unnoticed or untreated. In Malaysia, hearing loss affects individuals of all ages, with a notable impact on children. Approximately 6.6% of children aged 3-12 years old suffer from hearing loss. The consequences of untreated hearing loss include speech and language development delays, social isolation, and poor educational performance. Early intervention and therapy are critical for children with hearing impairment to ensure they develop language abilities, social skills, and academic performance at par with their peer.

While improving access to health services, Malaysia has also made strides in promoting disability inclusion. The Persons with Disabilities Act of 2008 affirms that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public facilities, healthcare services, and recreational activities. Despite these efforts, challenges to health access remain, which the Ministry of Health is addressing through the National Plan of Action for Inclusive Health Care for Persons with Disabilities.

Addressing vision and hearing impairments and promoting disability inclusion in Malaysia requires a multi-faceted approach involving government, healthcare providers, and civil society. By implementing strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration, Malaysia can ensure that individuals with disabilities can lead fulfilling and productive lives.

A consultant is expected to support planning and implementation of activities aiming to improve access to health services related to vision and hearing, including conducting situation assessments and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, as well as strengthen disability inclusion in the health system.

**Deliverables**:
By working closely with the WCO, WPRO and HQ technical units, the consultant will be responsible for providing high quality technical support to MOH and other partners, to achieve the following outputs:

- Output 1. Support to increase the effective refractive error coverage.
Deliverable 1.1: Conduct a situation analysis using the WHO refractive error situation analysis tool (RESAT), including a desk-based review and stakeholder consultations.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop an activity plan aligned to SPECS 2030 in support of the implementation of MySPECS in Malaysia.
Deliverable 1.3: Organize and facilitate cross-sectoral stakeholder meetings and workshops.
Deliverable 1.4: Support the implementation of the identified activities, including to strengthen health data management.

Output 2. Support to improve the ear and hearing care services.
Deliverable 2.1: Conduct a situation analysis using the WHO Ear and hearing care situation analysis tool.
Deliverable 2.2: Conduct stakeholder consultations and workshops.
Deliverable 2.3: Develop an activity plan to strengthen access to the ear and hearing care services.

Output 3. Support to strengthen health system disability inclusion.
Deliverable 3.1: Advocate for inclusion of evidence gaps around disability inclusion in the next national health research agenda.
Deliverable 3.2: Advocate for collection and analysis of disability-disaggregated data.|
Deliverable 3.3: Support adaptation of health promotion programs and activities for PWDs.
Deliverable 3.4: Facilitate engagement of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in program and activity planning and design.

Other Deliverables
Monthly progress reports
Technical materials (e.g., policy briefs, presentation slides) produced throug