Background

Recognizing the importance of reliable vital statistics for producing timely and accurate population estimates and other demographic and health statistics in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Fifty-ninth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean  adopted Resolution EM/RC59/R.3, which urged Member States to “strengthen national health information systems by improving reporting of births, deaths and cause of death, by improved monitoring of exposure to risk factor and social determinants of health, morbidity, mortality and performance of the health system and by institutionalizing population-based surveys.”

Subsequently, the WHO, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), in collaboration with other partners are embarking on a strategic initiative to strengthen the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems (CRVS) in Member States. The first step in this initiative is to develop evidence-based strategies by objectively assessing the current functioning of the civil registration systems and the quality of vital statistics produced internally within each country. EMR countries are currently finalizing the CRVS rapid assessments of their vital registration systems which will be followed by the comprehensive assessments.

Workshop objectives

The objectives of the workshop are to:

• discuss and analyse the rapid assessment results and country reports; and
• identify countries that will undertake the comprehensive assessment, the results of which form the basis for a comprehensive multiyear plan to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics.

Workshop outcomes

The outcomes of the wokshop will include:

• development of a working paper including outcome of lessons learned from analysis of rapid assessment results and country reports
• identification of countries for comprehensive assessment
• understanding of the comprehensive assessment tool and the confidence for participants to take a leadership role in introducing and facilitating the tool in their countries.

Participants

Participants include officials working in government at ministries of health and interior, national statistics office, civil registration department or birth and deaths registry. Participants who have responsibilities for the collection and analysis of vital statistics on fertility, mortality, and causes of death are the primary audience.

Criterion for selection

The criterion for participant selection includes:

• appropriate academic background, example in statistics, demography, public health, public administration, or practical experience in CRVS production or dissemination;
• Have held senior positions in government or academia or young statisticians;
• Linguistic skills in English (taking into account geographical and linguistic diversities);
• They are in a role that will allow them to be released to support country civil registration and vital statistics strengthening, training institutions strengthening;
• Able to relate to governments from their role; for example, academics or practitioners;
• Potential champion in region or country civil registration and vital statistics strengthening;
• Preference to candidates from COIA countries;
• Have played leadership and/or convening roles in their professional lives or  show leadership qualities.