Fiji’s CRVS

GlobalIn response to the deficiencies in CRVS information systems and particularly their impact on the reporting and monitoring of progress against the Millennium Development Goals, growing global attention is being given to improving CRVS, especially through region-centric approaches, which seek to improve the coverage of both the count of births and deaths as well as the quality of causes of death data produced.

ESCAPIn Asia and the Pacific, since 2008, the UNESCAP Committee on Statistics has recognised the need for CRVS improvement and in 2010 tasked ESCAP with the development of an improvement plan: Recognizing the importance of reliable vital statistics for producing timely and accurate population estimates and other demographic and health statistics, including the Millennium Development Goals, which are some of the most basic requirements for evidence-based planning and efficient resource allocation, the Committee supports the development of a regional programme for improving vital statistics in the Asian and Pacific region and recommends that the secretariat, under the guidance of the Bureau, continue to develop the regional programme fully in close collaboration with development partners.

Ref: UNESCAP Committee on Statistics (2010) ‘Report of the Committee on Statistics on its second session Second session’ Second session, Bangkok, 15-17 December 2010

Brisbane Accord GroupAt the same time in the Pacific, the urgent need for CRVS strengthening has been formalised. A Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy 2011-2020.

The CRVS component was given further prominence and impetus with the formation of the Brisbane Accord Group (BAG). Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan focused on coordination of partners to support countries improve the completeness and quality of their CRVS data.

The Pacific Health Ministers meeting in Solomons in July 2011 welcomed the formation of the Brisbane Accord Group and its goal to support Pacific countries to improve their CRVS systems. The meeting recommended that CRVS should be a regional priority.

Pacific Action PlanThe action plan for strengthening CRVS in the Pacific systematically addresses the following specific objectives:1. Establish mechanisms for the coordination of all in-country personnel and

development partners to work with countries to develop a country strategy for improving vital statistics

2. Support country specific strategic plans that can be carried out within the framework of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy

3. Encourage and assist all countries to undertake assessments of their CRVS systems

4. Promote both community awareness and government commitment to improve and sustain CRVS systems

5. Enhance understanding of the importance of vital statistics6. Strengthen training of personnel involved in civil registration and the

production, analysis and interpretation of vital statistics7. Promote the use and dissemination of vital statistics8. Establish with countries mechanisms for regularly reviewing progress with

CRVS systems

4 GroupsThe Pacific Vital Statistics Action plan groups countries into 4 groups based on geographic and population considerations and proposes tailored strategies for each group, including technical assistance and training:

• Group 1 countries: Small island states in South and Central Pacific (Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Tokelau and Tuvalu)

• Group 2 countries: Small island states in North Pacific (The Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (5), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau)

• Group 3 countries: Larger countries with more developed administrations (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa)

• Group 4 countries: Larger countries with less developed administrations and history of civil registration (PNG, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu).

Brisbane Accord Group

Fiji Kids

Leadership and Governance• Lead by example • Policy Unit, Policy Commission – think tank• Donor Coordination• Multi-sector engagement• Development of decrees, policies, strategic plans, guidelines• Best Buys, Reduce Salt, Health Promotion, Bula 5:30, Walk for

Health • Wellness Framework• NCD Strategic Plan

Health Workforce• Increase number of doctors and nurses• Allied health workers• Training • Professional Development • Specialist training• Shaydri Atachment• ICD 10 Training• COD Training • CRVS Short Courses

Information• Health Information Unit• Health Indicator M&E (MDGs, CHIPSR)• Disease Registries• Birth and Death Databases• Analysis of Death Certificates using ICD10• Quarterly Feedback bulletin • Development of HIP and HISSP• Data Analysis on a monthly basis• Clinical Service Network

Medicinal Products & Technologies• Introduction of new vaccines• New technological equipment (MRI, CT, Echo, etc)• ICT (PATIS, LIMS, PHIS)• Hi Speed Internet (Skype - telemedicine)

Financing• National Health Accounts• Healthcare costing study• Donor/Development partner Harmonisation• FHSSP (MDG 4, 5, NCD, CHW, HSS)• GF (TB, HIV and HSS - PHIS)

• NGOs• Outsourcing?

Leadership outside Health• Other government departments• Cabinet• Regional (advocacy at various seminars, forums etc)• Global (various summit - ??)• Development Partners

Messages for others• Walk the talk• Quick wins• Provide support • Proactive • Use information