Improving Vital Statistics in Myanmar: Tools, Materials, and Implementation

1. Third Regional Workshop on Production and Use of Vital Statics:Applying Tools and Materials Available to Improve Vital Statistics (CRVS)Presented by Myanmar Participant Ms. Cherry Swe Assistant Director Myanmar

2. Introduction • Country report of the Myanmar participants Third Regional Workshop on Production and Use of Vital Statics:Applying Tools and Materials Available to Improve Vital Statistics in the Myanmar Statistical System is basically a decentralized one. Many Govt. ministries set up their own planning and statistics department. 1

3. Central Statistical Organization Myanmar Statistical System is a decentralize once. CSO collects data in accordance with the Central Statistical Authority Act, No. 34 of 1952 and plays a key role in the national system of statistical information. • Administrative Division • Production Statistics Division • Services Statistics Division • Trade Statistics Division • Income Expenditure and Investment Statistics Division • Research and Development Division

4. Sources of Vital Statistics • National Population Census • Vital Registration and Statistics System • Demographic Surveys and other Social and Health related Surveys

5. Census in Myanmar • Last population census – 1983 • In computing the vital rates, townships-wise population estimates are made, using the annual rate of population growth, which Immigration and Manpower Department releases publicly, based on 1983 population census and 1991 Population Changes and Fertility Survey (PCFS). • Latest conduct in 2014 population censuses is completed but no publication.

6. Vital Registration System Introduced in 1962 Strengthening of BRS in 1998 CSO, DOH modified the content forms from 13 to 8 8 forms was successfully pilot tested Nation – wide establishment was carried out in 2001

7. Current situation of MVRS Focal Department - CSO Implementing Department - DOH Central Statistical Organization(CSO) • Established in 1952 - Statistical Authority Act 34 of 1952. • Objectives - The main objective of the organization is to collect, compile, process ,analysis and publish the socio- economic data subsequently of fulfill the needs of the information systems.

8. Role of CSO Development of vital forms Providing & Distribution of forms Collection of filled forms Computerize & Calculation of vital stats Training & Refresher training on VRS Supervision , Monitoring & Feed-back

9. Role of DOH Central level Co-ordination & Cooperation with CSO Supervision , Monitoring & Feedback State / Regional Level Form Indent, storage & distribution Township Level Main Implementers Collection of Vital events Registration & issue Certificate Reporting ( send 101 & 201 to CSO)

10. The Acts related for VRS We don’t have any specific vital registration act alone but we have some acts to inform whether births or deaths. The following acts are:_ Municipal Act. 1907 The Towns Act. The Villages Act. The City of Rangoon Municipal Act. Myanmar Villages Head Manual Act. The Development Affairs Act. 1993 The Child Law. ( Modified in 2007)

11. System process Data Management Implementation CSO DOH Birth Registration Statistical purpose Birth Certificate DINR GAD For NRC & other administration purpose Birth Registration If the BR system well link with NRC then, the effectiveness of BR will be automatically occur.

12. Eight kinds of forms to be used in MVRS Two Vital forms (CSO for Statistics) Birth Information form (Live-birth/Still-birth) Death Information form (Cause of death included) Two Register Books (For DOH) Birth Register Death Register Four Certificates (For informant) Birth Certificate Still-birth Certificate Death Certificate Burial Certificate (included for still-birth)

13. vital registration forms

14. Vital Statistics Report (2010) Reporting Units Urban 319 towns Rural 286 townships Although the VRS is 100% coverage in the whole country, the under reporting and non-reporting is still existence in urban and rural as well as birth and death. More complete in urban than rural. 14

15. How to Improve for Quality Assessment, Assurance and Reporting VRS Systematic assessment and strategic planning Assigning focal person Capacity Building Mechanism for Supply Management and Storage: Regular monitoring , supervision & feedback; Development of comprehensive VRS Manual: Community awareness raising including value of BC such as linking with NRC, etc. Validity, quality and utilization to be strengthened

16. How to Improve for Quality Assessment, Assurance and Reporting VRS law enforcement Review/revise and establish new laws accordingly Awareness raising Training for BHS and VHW on value system of MVRS; Advocacy (at all level)- including GAD and local authorities, Development of additional IEC materials, engaging media TV spots, Radio, Newspaper, Journals Media provide an important channel to deliver information and advocacy messages MVRS Weeks Supervision, monitoring and feedback, Evaluation

17. How to Improve for Quality Assessment, Assurance and Reporting VRS Public Information - Importance of BR ( Issurance, School enrolment, Access to health campaigns, Child protection) Media Briefing Media field visit Press Releases Videos Photo essay Attraction by Actors / Actress / Higher Authorities