Africa, Asia and Eastern Mediterranean 2012 and 2013

systems; dissemination of evidence, lessons learned and innovations; and development of regional and
country capacity to support and strengthen CRVS
1. CRVS facilitator training Bangkok for 12 countries, October 2012.
2. Central Asia Death and COD meeting October 2012 in Bishkek.
3. Draft modules developed on marriages and divorces.
4. Module on CRVS ICT assessment under development in collaboration with WHO
KMS.
5. Sponsorship for CRVS short course, University of Queensland, Australia.
4. Foster and accelerate innovation in CRVS
1. MOVE-IT investigators Asia meeting, May 2012.
2. Systematic review of eCRVS and mCRVS innovations.
3. HMN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN NETWORK
The recent political changes in the region have highlighted the importance of having effective
policies and processes to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in all sectors. The
urgency and opportunity for interventions for more effective governance in the region has never
been more evident than it is today. Effective governance means competent management of a
country’s resources that is demonstrated in the way policies are developed and decisions are made
at all levels in a manner that is open, transparent, accountable, equitable and responsive to people’s
needs. This can never be achieved without a strong country information system that is
comprehensive, integrating all sectors, including health.
Improving health systems represents a common policy goal in the region, hence, institutions are
expected to assume responsibilities to promote and deliver equitable and effective health services.
Strengthening information, transparency and accountability is a key facet in this process.
Also, within the context of the current upheavals, the region has attracted strong global political
attention and willingness of donor countries to provide financial support to the restructuring of the
region. Therefore, the region has a pressing need for information and accountability to support the
aid effectiveness process, policy development and evidence-based decision-making in several
sectors, including health, health information systems and civil registration and vital statistics.
The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO RD) has committed his leadership
to the CRVS agenda in EMRO. He has already engaged HMN in a briefing of all country
representatives in the region on CRVS and has requested them all to work with countries to
undertake rapid assessments in 2012. HMN has provided support for these rapid assessments. The
EMRO RD has reached out to UNESCWA, UNESCAP and UNECA to actively promote collaboration in
the region. HMN will support the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in holding a
multi-country stakeholder meeting on CRVS in the first quarter of 2013.
Eastern Mediterranean work plan 2012–13
The HMN contribution to the Eastern Mediterranean work plan is summarized below.
1. Provide leadership on a common agenda for CRVS strengthening and mobilize partners, regional
organizations, donors and stakeholders working with and supporting CRVS strengthening to build a
network of partners to strengthen country CRVS
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