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Request a proposal for developing minimally/non-invasive devices for screening or detection of tuberculosis (TB) and Vector-Borne screening. As an organization committed to advancing public health initiatives, IHF recognizes the urgent need for efficient and accurate methods to screen and detect Tuberculosis and Vector-Borne infections, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Tuberculosis remains a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Traditional methods of TB screening often involve sputum-based tests, which can be time-consuming, invasive, and challenging to implement, particularly in populations with limited access to healthcare facilities. They may also lack sensitivity for early detection, leading to delayed diagnosis. Also, TB screening faces challenges due to the complexity and cost of available diagnostic tools, which require specialized infrastructure and trained personnel. Limited availability of point-of-care tests hinders screening leading to poor case notifications. It is also noticed that insufficient knowledge of TB screening guidelines leads to suboptimal screening practices. Limited Integration of screening tests into primary care workflow, is another factor resulting in missed opportunities for early detection and timely referral.
Therefore, India Health Fund is seeking innovative and non-invasive solutions that can enhance TB screening efforts and improve diagnostic accuracy.
India faces a persistent endemic burden of different Vector-Borne diseases (VBD) in urban and rural areas. The distribution of VBDs in the country varies across its demography and geography, thereby leading to challenges in early and accurate diagnosis of the illness. Although 92% case reduction is noted in Malaria from 2000 to 2019, the absolute number of cases remains high at 1.6 lakh cases (2021). Moreover, there is an increasing burden of other VBDs like Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika Virus. There is a need for strengthening the screening and diagnosis of all the existing and novel VBD burdens in the country. There is a need for building technologies that inform better decisions on treatments through screening of high-risk populations and geographies followed by early and accurate diagnosis.
Therefore, India Health Fund is seeking innovative, non-invasive or minimally invasive solutions that can enhance Vector-Borne screening and diagnostics efforts to inform appropriate and timely treatment.
The primary objective of this request for proposal (RFP) is to identify qualified innovators/suppliers/manufacturers capable of providing minimally invasive or non-invasive devices/tools/products for screening of Tuberculosis and Vector-Borne infections.
The devices should employ non-invasive techniques to detect and screen for TB and Vector-Borne infections through minimally invasive sample collection methods.
The devices should demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity in screening TB and Vector–Borne infection ideally comparable to or exceeding the performance of existing diagnostic methods. The selected device should demonstrate strong yield and population coverage.
The devices should be portable, user-friendly, and suitable for deployment in various healthcare settings, including resource-limited areas or mobile screening units.
The minimally invasive tools should preferably provide point-of-care test results as opposed to the requirement for complete laboratory setups.
The technology must be easy to use for end-users. The device/equipment should be easily used through minimal training for end-users.
Cost-effectiveness is a critical consideration. The proposed devices should be affordable, considering the target regions and populations where they will be implemented.
The selected devices should have the potential for scalable production and deployment, allowing for widespread adoption and impact.
The selected device should be developed and manufactured in India for usage in public health programs.
The innovation needs to be compatible to be used at the low-resource settings at the primary level of care in rural and/or urban settings.
The product should be at a stage to demonstrate proof of evidence of improvement/advancements brought by the new test.
Applicants are required to submit proposals to India Health Fund with details as requested in the application form. Applicants should specifically mention the expected support from IHF:
Mention the support expected from India Health Fund with a clear description of the need and what the support would enable.
Propose a realistic timeline for the development, manufacturing, and delivery of the devices, considering any clinical or regulatory requirements.
Create an account on the Manthan platform and submit your applications here along with requisite attachments a) proposal form and b) budget sheet no later than 8th September 2023. Any additional supporting documents or relevant materials should be included as separate attachments.
Detailed proposal template and budget template are available on the submission portal.
Applications qualifying under the scope of the proposals will receive:
All submitted proposals will be evaluated based on their technical merit, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and the organization’s track record.
India Health Fund is registered as Confluence for Health Action and Transformation Foundation (CHATF), a Section 8
charitable company incorporated in India, supported by the Tata Trusts.