Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to establish a service provider capable of delivering clinical services for the surgical termination of pregnancy (TOP) at selected sites within the Western Cape over a five-year period. The services aim to support public healthcare facilities by providing safe, regulated, and accessible termination services for patients in both trimester one (T1 TOP) and trimester two (T2 TOP), ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and clinical guidelines. The initiative seeks to enhance capacity, improve service delivery, and ensure equitable access to termination services across the province.

Scope

The scope encompasses the provision of clinical services related to:

• Trimester one (T1 TOP) services at selected districts/sites, with gestational ages up to 12 weeks.
• Trimester two (T2 TOP) services at designated facilities, covering gestational ages from 13 to 20 weeks, with case-by-case evaluation for complex cases.
• Pre-procedure counselling, clinical assessment, ultrasonographic evaluation, cervical priming, surgical evacuation, post-procedure care, and contraceptive counselling.
• Provision of services through dedicated facilities, satellite/roaming services, or partnerships with existing healthcare providers.
• Adherence to statutory, regulatory, and accreditation requirements, including compliance with the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and related clinical guidelines.

The contract duration is five years, subject to annual review based on performance and compliance, with potential extensions or termination as per contractual terms.

Technical Requirements

• Qualified practitioners registered with relevant health professional councils, trained in surgical evacuation and ultrasonography.
• Facilities registered on the Master Health Facility List (MHFL) and compliant with health standards (e.g., COHSASA, ISO 9000).
• Availability of appropriate equipment, including ultrasonography, surgical tools, emergency resuscitation equipment, and consumables.
• On-site emergency management capabilities, including uterine balloon tamponade kits and infection control measures.
• Provision of pre- and post-procedure counselling, contraceptive services, and follow-up management of complications.
• Effective logistical arrangements for patient transport, referrals, and communication with referring facilities.
• Implementation of quality assurance, clinical governance, and compliance with national and provincial standards.

Skills Requirements

• Practitioners must be registered health professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses) with appropriate certifications and experience in surgical termination procedures.
• Ultrasonographers must be trained in obstetric ultrasonography and gestational age assessment.
• Staff must be trained in infection prevention, patient counselling, and management of complications.
• Service providers should have administrative personnel skilled in documentation, data management, invoicing, and reporting.
• Emergency response teams trained in resuscitation and complication management.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with public health facilities, including satellite/roaming services and outreach initiatives.