3. Fiji’s CRVS

4. Global
In 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.

5. ESCAP
In 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

6. Brisbane Accord Group
At 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.

7. Pacific Action Plan
The 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 statistics
6. Strengthen training of personnel involved in civil registration and the
production, analysis and interpretation of vital statistics
7. Promote the use and dissemination of vital statistics
8. Establish with countries mechanisms for regularly reviewing progress
with CRVS systems

8. 4 Groups
The 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).

9. Brisbane Accord Group

10. Fiji Kids

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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?

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

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