Governance of the

Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan 2011-

2014Karen Carter, Vital Statistics & Civil Registration Specialist &

Dr Gerald Haberkorn, ManagerStatistics for Development Division, Secretariat of the Pacific

Community (SPC)

Audrey AumuaUniversity of Queensland Health Information Systems Hub (UQ

HIS Hub) and World Health Organization (WHO)

on behalf of the Brisbane Accord Group

Development of the Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan

• In 2010 the HIS Hub at UQ convened a meeting in Brisbane of a number of agencies concerned with improving vital statistics in the Pacific region.

• From this meeting the Brisbane Accord Group (BAG) was established with the aim of

– providing strategic and technical support to countries around vital statistics improvements,

– providing a more coordinated response from partner agencies, and

– to ensure partner agencies’ support to SPC, where forthcoming, is compatible with SPC implementation of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy.

• The Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan was subsequently developed by this group at their second meeting

The Brisbane Accord Group (BAG)

• Partners include University of Queensland HIS Hub, SPC, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, PHIN, ABS and the Queensland University of Technology.

• The overarching aim of the plan is to assist Pacific countries to improve their statistics on birth, deaths, and cause-of-death through routine collections and thereby provide decision-makers with the evidence needed for effective planning.

• The plan sits under the framework of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) 2011-2020.

The Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan 2011-2014

The Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS)

• The TYPSS has been endorsed by all PICT statistical agencies as well as both SPC’s 40th CRGA meeting and subsequent Ministerial conference, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariats’ Finance and Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in October 2010.

• Coordination and oversight of the implementation of the Strategy is the responsibility of SPC and the Pacific Statistics Steering Committee (PSSC)

• PSSC is comprised of six Pacific Island government statisticians and four representatives from financial and technical partners (AusAID, ADB, UNFPA and University of the South Pacific (USP)).

Governance Structure (simplified)

Health Ministers

Finance and Economic Ministers

Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy

Overseen / Coordinated byPacific Statistics Steering Committee

PHINUNSWQUT FNU WHOUNICEFSPC

Implemented byBrisbane Accord Group

Pacific Island Countries (and Territories)

Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan

Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations

(CRGA)

Country HIS professionals

UNFPAABSUQ HISHUB

International Bodies

• The plan is: – IMPLEMENTED by both COUNTRIES and BAG AGENCIES

– SUPPORTED (with financial and Technical assistance) by ALL BAG agencies

– SPC and UQ HIS Hub act as the focal point

• The process: – Support countries to develop plans based on a systematic

assessment

– Provide TA and support to assist countries to meet the goals and targets in their plans

The Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan 2011-2014

Governance Strengths

• A clear structure that links the plan directly back to countries (and a broader range of interested agencies through the PSCC)

• Mandate for engagement and relationships at multi levels of country systems

• Regular mechanisms for review (within BAG and with countries) • All partners bring both technical skills and regional knowledge

to the table• Commitment by partner agencies to a set of guiding principles

in the implementation of the plan.

Principles of the BAG Group

The following principles have been established by the BAG partners in relation to the operation of the plan and BAG activities under this arrangement.

• The scope of BAG activities is limited to births, deaths and cause-of-death.

• Technical assistance by partner agencies related to improving vital statistics in the Pacific will be coordinated through BAG.

• Technical assistance to countries should be requested by the countries themselves through country planning processes

• A coordinated approach to Technical assistance is essential to make the most out of the available resources, and assistance provided in one area should not be to the detriment of others – a coordinated approach is essential.

Principles of the BAG Group

• Progress with the initiative needs to be reported regularly to regional governance structures, such as the six monthly Pacific Statistics Steering Committee which oversights the implementation of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics strategy, as well as the biannual Pacific Health Ministers’ meeting.

• The mandate for working in-country comes through the partnership with agencies such as WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and SPC which are expected to do so. More broadly, the initiative has been embedded, with partners agreement, within the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy in order to ensure political support at the highest level in all Pacific countries and provide a formal governance structure.

CENTRAL COORDINATIONTechnical assistance by partner agencies related to improving vital statistics in the Pacific will be coordinated through BAG.

• All agencies are equal partners that bring resources and expertise• Focal point is SPC and UQ HIS Hub• Coordination does not limit partner activities

– Some activities multi-agencies– Some activities run by one partner

• Improves return on investment for countries by building on each others programs

• Reduces duplication (thereby freeing resources for needs that have not been addressed)

• Improves consistency of message• Countries also encouraged to coordinate through a national committee

Mechanisms for coordination

• Partner Meetings (approx 2 per year) • BAG meetings provide an opportunity for partners to talk about

strategic issues and to update the plan based on new intelligence; table technical and financial commitments to the plan; and ensure active engagement and commitment to the process.

• Update meetings at shared events• Regular teleconferences and email discussion

• Decisions on division of TA requests/ identified priorities are driven by organisational roles and consensus.

• It works because of mutual respect and recognition of partner strengths

• Planning and response is an open, collaborative process.

COUNTRY OWNERSHIPTechnical assistance to countries should be requested by the countries themselves

• Entry points to country systems are strategic – part of a bigger process within countries towards developing and supporting national approaches

• Technical assistance is focussed on – Initially assisting countries to assess their own systems and determine

priorities and needs– Working with countries to look at solutions for identified priorities and

needs– Providing training and support in areas identified by countries as

required. E.g.: cause of death certification & attachments• Ongoing contact and support is a major part of the plan• Reporting back through country mechanisms• PHIN plays a central role in providing country leadership, facilitation and

planning intelligence.

Conclusion - Success factors of the governance structure

• Collaborative process• Relationships are central• Commitment from partners - in terms of inputs (technical

expertise, time, $$ ) and approach• We are accountable to countries and to each other– Through reporting structures– Principles of the BAG group