DHAKA PROPOSAL FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM - 2005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003711

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PERLA R. LUCERO OES/STC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSCA TSPL AMGT OTRA APER SENV ECON BG
SUBJECT: DHAKA PROPOSAL FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM - 2005

REF: STATE 123789


1. This cable responds to reftel's invitation to apply for
projects funded under the Embassy Science Fellows Program
(ESFP). Two proposals follow.

National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme of Bangladesh:
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2. Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in
Bangladesh, which has the fifth highest burden of TB cases in
the world. About 300,000 TB cases, including 137,000
smear-positive pulmonary TB cases, and 70,000 deaths, are
estimated to occur every year.


3. Bangladesh endorsed the Directly Observed Treatment
Short-course (DOTS) therapy in 1991. Since 1993, DOTS has
been implemented through the National TB Control Programme of
Bangladesh (NTP) and, according to a 2002 World Health
Organization (WHO) estimate, DOTS is available in 95 percent
of the country. While the case detection rate is 40 percent,
the cure rate is 84 percent of the detected cases in the DOTS
program areas. Quarterly and annually, NTP has to report its
progress in expansion of DOTS to the Bangladesh government's
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and its development
partners at WHO, the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA),and the Global Fund Against AIDS, TB and
Malaria (GFATM). These data concern numbers of patients
diagnosed with TB, treatment outcomes, service delivery
strengthening, quality of microscopy, training, partnerships,
advocacy, communication activities, social mobilization
activities, performance, operational research, and finances.


4. NTP and its partners have identified an urgent need for an
overall monitoring and evaluation plan with computerized
entry of all data. Technical assistance, including
development of a computerized recording and analysis
mechanism, is needed for two months. In addition,
backstopping during the initial phases of implementation of
the system would be needed for, on average, one day every two
weeks, ideally for the first six months, if this is possible
under the terms of the fellowship.


5. NIH is the most likely candidate agency for a Fellow who
could perform this project. A background in TB data
collection and the development of data collection systems
will be necessary. Experience working at the state, county
or local health department level would be helpful as well.
Also required is skill with numbers and detail work, computer
programming for data collection, and information systems in
general. Workspace could be provided either in USAID's
Population, Health, and Nutrition section or at NTP itself.

Studying the Effects of Global Warming
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6. Global warming is a sensitive political issue at this
time, worldwide. Bangladesh has experienced seasonal floods
for millennia, which it is currently tackling with some
success. During a normal monsoon, anywhere from one to two
thirds of Bangladesh is under water. However, it remains at
very high risk for water levels elevated even beyond this
point due to its topography and location at the mouth of
several of South Asia's largest rivers should global warming
lead to melting ice caps and rising oceans. According to an
informal US Geological Survey (USGS) estimate, Bangladesh
should expect to see major changes in its weather and
inundation patterns in the next 10 years.


7. We are unaware of any study, in any discipline, that
addresses this potentially catastrophic problem. The
government of Bangladesh (BDG) has neither the resources nor
the vision to deal with this challenge. A country faced with
Bangladesh's extreme population and land-use stresses would
experience major socio-economic dislocations with even a
modest rise in ocean and river levels.


8. An ESFP Fellow could begin the process of educating the
BDG and the USG on what to expect in Bangladesh as a result
of global warming. A scientist with background in global
warming issues could perform a small-scale assessment
according to his/her discipline; to include topics such as:
meteorology, mapping, ecology, geology, hydrology,
environmental science, and biology. NOAA, USGS, NASA, or NSF
are all possible source agencies.

General Requirements/Post Amenities for ESFP Fellow:
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9. For any Fellow, Bangla language skills would be ideal.
However, many USG scientists come to Bangladesh and
accomplish all their research with no specialized language
skills. Post's ESTH Officer has yet to encounter a BDG
scientist who does not have at least fair English ability.


10. Space in the Embassy is at a premium, but we are
confident that appropriate arrangements can be made that
would not require a security clearance. However, a Fellow
with a clearance at least equivalent to Temporary Top Secret
would enhance our flexibility to provide support.


11. Regarding housing, our intention would be to offer any
vacant housing or to find a Foreign Service host family.
Once we have specific information on a Fellow's timing and
personal particulars, we will approach Embassy community
members if and as needed. A visa must be obtained from the
Embassy of Bangladesh in order for an ESFP fellow to enter
the country.


12. It is imperative that the Fellow's parent agency work
with M/MED at the State Department to determine how
healthcare expenses will be paid. Post's Health Unit is one
of the only reliable healthcare facilities in Bangladesh.
Gastrointestinal and other illnesses are common and may
require short-term treatment. If the Fellow needs to make
use of the Health Unit, or if a medevac is required, there
must be an arrangement with their parent agency already in
place.
CHAMMAS