Death reg rate below 1% within 45 days: Speakers
Birth reg rate within the same period is 54%
Speakers at a workshop have revealed that the death registration rate within 45 days is below 1%, while the birth registration rate within the same period is 54%. Overall, the death registration rate in Bangladesh stands at just 49%.
Under the country's Birth and Death Registration Act, registration must occur within 45 days of birth or death, but most people are unaware of this law.
The figures were presented at a workshop titled "Disseminating Information on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)," organised by Nari Maitree and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, which was held today (13 March) at a hotel in the capital.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Lailla Arifa Khanam, project manager, and Anika Anzum Oishy, senior advocacy officer of Nari Maitree, presented the findings during the event.
They highlighted the significant challenges that Bangladesh faces with death registration, despite having the necessary legal framework in place. The process is still complicated, lengthy, and hindered by cultural beliefs, burial rituals, and bureaucratic delays.
In her opening speech, Shahin Akhter Dolly, executive director of Nari Maitree, noted that while it is not possible to register the birth of every citizen, data on the births and deaths of over 16 crore people are already stored in the national database, with the number steadily growing.
She also highlighted the issue of multiple registrations for the same individual due to the ability to register births at will.
Bangladesh Country Lead for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator Muhammad Ruhul Kuddus stressed the importance of adhering to the 45-day registration window.
"Birth registration within 45 days is mandatory, but many fail to comply. Without proper registration, individuals face various challenges later," he said.
Ruhul also pointed out that if births and deaths were registered immediately, national censuses would be unnecessary, as the population could be determined using registration data.
The workshop also noted that the government's 2018 regulations had simplified the birth and death registration process. Registration within 45 days is now free of charge.
In developed countries, birth and death registrations are hospital-based, which helps streamline the process and improve service efficiency.
Recommendations for improving registration
The workshop concluded with recommendations to amend the current laws and regulations, including the direct submission of birth and death declarations from hospitals to registrars instead of the Registrar General's office, and the inclusion of support staff in the registration process.
Other speakers included Mir Masrur Zaman, senior news editor at Channel i, CRVS Country Coordinator Nazrul Islam, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Moyeen Uddin, and President of the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum Rashed Rabbi.
