Nearly 45 million deaths and over 50 million births go unrecorded each year. In most countries, the registration of a birth creates a person’s legal identity, the key to unlocking access to services, rights and protections that are out of reach to the unregistered. The registration of a death, meanwhile, provides crucial data to policymakers about who is dying, and from what.
For the first time in history, we have the tools to count every birth and death, a process known as civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS)—the continuous, universal, timely, inclusive and compulsory recording of births, deaths and causes of death in the population. And to make sure nobody is left behind, a digital CRVS approach is imperative. Strong digital infrastructure improves the collection, quality, use and protection of data against major political and weather events that have compromised paper-based systems in the past.
In recent years, Cameroon has made transformative changes to its CRVS system, and the government has made a commitment to developing a fully digital CRVS system by 2029. Cedric Mbella, Vital’s country coordinator for CRVS in Cameroon, spoke with us about the country’s efforts, and walked us through the importance of using CRVS data to improve public health and build a brighter future for all.
Mbella is a demographer with more than eight years of experience in CRVS systems, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence issues. He received a master’s degree in Demography from the Institute for Demographic Training and Research (IFORD) and a specialized master’s in public health methodology from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. Mbella has been at Vital Strategies as country coordinator for the CRVS program in Cameroon since 2020.
What is your role and how would you describe CRVS to someone just learning about it?
I am the country coordinator for the Vital Strategies’ Civil Registration and Vital Statistics program in Cameroon. I support government CRVS stakeholders in improving their CRVS system through the Data for Health Initiative.
Imagine CRVS as the backbone of a country’s sustainable development. It’s a continuous and systematic collection of data about the population, recording important events in people’s lives such as births, deaths, marriages and divorces. This information is a treasure trove of data that helps the government understand and meet the needs of its citizens.
CRVS is a vital tool for governance and development. It seeks to ensure that every person counts and that policies are made based on the realities of the population’s needs. It’s like having a detailed map that guides a country in providing better services and improving the lives of its people.
What role does CRVS play in strengthening public health in Cameroon?
By aiming for complete and universal registration of births and deaths, CRVS enables all segments of the population to be accounted for, which helps in identifying health needs and disparities. Birth certificates provide a legal basis for recognizing the existence of individuals, which is fundamental for ensuring every person’s access to health services and rights. Accurate recording of the cause of death is vital for understanding mortality patterns, which can inform public health interventions and the allocation of resources.
Strengthening CRVS systems also fosters political commitment and collaboration across different sectors, which is necessary for building national capacity, partnerships, and outreach efforts to improve health outcomes. Linking health sector activities with civil registration can lead to universal civil registration, which is a step toward achieving the universal health coverage that Cameroon aims to have.
What are some of the steps the government has taken to count everyone?
Since 2010, Cameroon has been in the process of modernizing its CRVS system with the goal of improving the completeness of civil status registration. The government established a legal framework for birth registration which mandates the declaration and registration of all vital events. They’ve also given legal force to the planned digitization of the CRVS system, which is intended to significantly increase the rate of civil status registration.
National and regional committees have been established to improve coordination, and efforts have been made to harmonize birth and death notification forms across systems. The government also made provisions to waive or decrease fees for birth registration and certificates, making it more accessible for all.
Why is it important to digitize CRVS systems?
Digitizing CRVS systems enhances the quality and availability of vital data, which is essential for effective planning and implementation of development strategies, as well as for ensuring that every person’s rights are recognized and protected.
Digital systems can process registrations and generate vital statistics much faster than manual systems—which means quicker access to documents and data for both individuals and policymakers. People can also potentially register events or access their records online themselves, which is especially beneficial for those living in remote areas.
Digital records reduce the risk of errors that can occur with paper-based systems. They are more secure and less susceptible to damage or loss compared to physical documents.
Finally, digitization allows for the integration of CRVS data with other government databases, providing policymakers with a more comprehensive view of the population’s needs.
What would you tell a policymaker who is considering investing in improving CRVS but is on the fence about its value?
CRVS is not just an administrative task; it’s the foundation upon which sustainable development is built. Without accurate data from CRVS, decisions are made in the dark. Investing in CRVS illuminates the path to effective policymaking and resource allocation. This data is crucial for monitoring health trends, planning public health interventions, and responding to epidemics or other health emergencies—as well as enablingmarginalized groups to be counted, and promoting inclusivity and equity in access to services.
Knowing the population’s structure also helps in planning for economic growth. It allows for targeted investments in education, infrastructure and job creation. The initial investment in CRVS modernization leads to long-term savings by reducing inefficiencies and preventing fraud.
Finally, a robust CRVS system improves a country’s international standing and credibility, showing commitment to governance, transparency and accountability. By investing in CRVS, a policymaker leaves a lasting legacy —a system that will serve generations to come, so that every person counts.
Is there anything else you think people should know?
People should know that the value of a well-functioning CRVS system transcends its cost. It’s an investment in the country’s future, the well-being of its citizens, and the strength of its institutions. It’s a cornerstone for a more equitable and prosperous society.
About the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative
Data for Health is a global effort supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. It aims to assist governments in improving the collection and use of critical data for establishing informed health policies and plans. The Initiative has expanded its partnership to more than 30 low- and middle-income countries to improve public health. To learn more, visit: https://www.bloomberg.org/. Vital Strategies serves as an implementing partner in the Data for Health Initiative, with several programs related specifically to data improvement and public health intelligence: CRVS, Data Impact, Cancer Registries and Global Grants. To learn more, visit vitalstrategies.org or follow us @VitalStrat.