1. COLLECTION OF VITAL STATISTICS IN ZAMBIA
Margaret Tembo-Mwanamwenge
Central Statistical Office

2. Legal mandate
Collection of vital statistics is in accordance with Cap 127 of the laws of Zambia.
Allows director of CSO to collect statistics on any prescribed matter (including vital statistics)
Mechanism regulating the links between CSO and DNR not clearly established by the law.

3. Stakeholders of the vital statistics system in Zambia?
Central Statistical Office
Department of National Registration
Local Authorities
Ministry of Health

4. Data sources
Censuses
Mortality rates
Fertility rates
Surveys

5. Data sources
Civil registration
Births
Deaths
Marriages

6. Problems encountered
Statistical functions
Delays in transmission of forms from local to national level and to CSO
Lack of adequate data processing equipment
Staff and training
Inadequate staff (especially at sub centres)
Most officers trained on the job
No refresher courses
Limited coverage of the data – has rendered statistical output unusable. (10% of births are registered)

7. Current status of collection of vital statistics
Current system does not ensure that key information required for accurate fertility and mortality assessment is readily available in an accurate and timely manner.
Rely on censuses and surveys for fertility and mortality estimates
Compilation and dissemination of vital statistics has currently been suspended

8. Plans for the future Another source of information being planned for:
Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy (SAVVY);
not to replace the current registration system, but to support and strengthen the reporting, recording, analysis and dissemination of vital events, particularly births and deaths.

9. Institutions collaborating in implementing SAVVY?
Central Statistical Office (CSO)
The Department of National Registration (DNR)
The Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MFNP)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
The Ministry of Health (MOH)
The Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH)
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS)
The United States of America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

10. Thanks for your attention!
END OF PRESENTATION
Thanks for your attention!