Progress report on the implementation of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems

Abstract

The Africa program on accelerated improvement of civil registration and vital statistics systems is currently being implemented on the basis of policy and programmatic guidance provided in the resolutions adopted at the four sessions of the conference of African ministers responsible for civil registration. African experts considered numerous topics at the four sessions of the conference of African ministers and made recommendations to the ministers on various issues pertinent to the improvement of civil registration and vital statistics systems. Among other things, they underscored the need to promote capacity-building and coordination among national stakeholders and strengthen partnerships with countries’ health-care sectors, as well as the need to conduct comprehensive assessments of national civil registration and vital statistics systems, develop costed strategic plans, review the impact of countries’ legislative frameworks on their systems, provide adequate human and financial resources for civil registration and vital statistics programs, monitor and evaluate regional initiatives and country programs, conduct research on specific subjects such as how to improve death registration mechanisms and the collection of cause of death information in Africa, and adopt appropriate information and communication technology solutions. The present report contains a review of the progress made in the implementation of the Africa program on accelerated improvement of civil registration and vital statistics systems in the past two years, in the light of commitments made by the African ministers responsible for civil registration.