Reporting system on mortality statistics in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The system to collect information on mortality statistics in Lao PDR is not well established, accurate and timely death information is therefore not available. This article reports the system and process to make the mortality statistical data of Lao PDR. The country has a paper-based resident registration system, using a death notification document, a death certificate, and a family census book. The death notification document is important as it provides the cause of death, which is issued from a health facility and the village office. In the event of a death occurring at home, the family representative needs to report to the village office verbally to obtain a death notification document. On the other hand, if the death occurred in a medical facility, a death notification document from a health facility is provided. The family representative should bring the death notification document to the district Home Affairs office to register the death and obtain a death certificate. After that, the family representative needs to bring the death certificate to the district Public Security office for an amendment in the family census book. ICD-10 is under development regarding death notification from health facilities under the Ministry of Health. However, it is unclear how death notification from village offices can adopt ICD-10 as the majority of deaths occur outside health facilities. A comprehensive and integrated mortality reporting system is necessary in order to create a holistic health policy and welfare for the country.