On-site birth registration service begins at CWM Hospital

The Ministry of Justice has launched an on-site birth registration services at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Fiji’s largest birthing facility.

The Ministry says this marks a major step in improving the timely and accessible delivery of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics services, following the completion of the Fiji CRVS Project on addressing gender inequities in on-time birth registration.

In the first two days of deployment, Ministry of Justice staff at CWM Hospital processed a number of registrations and certificate requests.

On Thursday 27th November, officers recorded two late birth registrations, five new registrations and four birth certificate reprints.

As of 10am yesterday, four late registrations, one new birth registration and six birth certificate printings had been completed.

The Ministry says the early numbers show strong demand from families who benefit from faster access to registration services at the point of care, reducing the need for multiple visits and administrative delays.

The on-site service forms part of wider CRVS reforms supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, ESCAP, SPC, Bloomberg Philanthropies and other partners.

The ministry says with more than 8,500 births recorded annually at CWM Hospital, and having registration officers based within the facility is expected to improve the timeliness and accuracy of birth registration, reduce the burden on families, and strengthen data-sharing between the health and justice sectors.

It adds that the aim is to ensure no child leaves the hospital without being properly recorded and recognised.

The Ministry has acknowledged the Ministry of Health, CWM Hospital leadership, development partners and frontline officers for their collaboration in strengthening Fiji’s CRVS system.