Plan International Pakistan has launched Digital Birth Registration using mobile phone technology.
The innovative Digital Birth Registration (DBR) project will be jointly implemented by Plan International Pakistan and Health departments of the provincial governments. The rollout in first phase will include Tando Muhammad Khan and Sujawal in Sindh, and Chiniot in Punjab. Telenor Pakistan will officially work as the telecom partner in Punjab for the DBR project.
Dr. Asma Hyder, member Social Sector from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform was invited at the launch of the project. She stated:
“The Government of Pakistan recognizes the importance of investment in human capital and that’s why the first pillar of vision 2025 is ‘putting people first’.”
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Providing a clear vision for the future
Dr. Hyder also talked about eliminating statistical blind spots that cause problems during infrastructure planning. She said that the government wanted to count every single person in Pakistan leading to better future planning and resource allocation.
“Universal education and access to health facilities will only be possible if we have strong CRVS system is in place. And the new digital birth registration system is first step towards achieving that goal.”
Imran Yusuf Shami, acting Country Director, Plan International said,
“Digital birth registration is a milestone that ensures child’s right to education, health and protection from; violence, early marriage and child labour.’’
Zahid Jalbani, Project Manager DBR, Plan International briefed participants on the background of the project. He stated:
“Pakistan has 27% birth registration rate according to UNICEF’s State Of The Children report 2011.”
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The DBR solution aims to replace old manual system with a digital civil registration database. It also hopes for an increase in the birth registration rates to up to 80% by 2018 in the target districts.
Pilot Project
The health workers will be visiting homes in the targeted districts and through mobile app complete birth records. The records will then be moved to a central database for vetting and other actions.
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