Building capacity for evidence-based health development in Indonesia

Reliable measures of overall mortality and cause of death estimation are essential information for assessing population health and devising policy responses. This is particularly important in countries undergoing epidemiological change and rising rates of non-communicable diseases and injury. Such data have not been available for Indonesia to date with the existing civil registration system providing data of limited utility particularly regarding cause of death. A National Sample Vital Registration System (SRS) is currently being implemented in Indonesia as a routine data source for mortality in the country. Researchers at the Global Health Division are working together with the Indonesian National Institute for Health Research and Development and academic partners at 9 regional universities to help build capacity for implementing the SRS.

Key components of the project are:

  1. Comprehensive training programs for academic staff at partner universities and implementation staff at district and sub-district health centres. Training will cover implementation of the SRS activities and quality assurance protocols for field supervision, on-site training and data management
  2. The design and installation of a database at district health offices to enter and manage vital records
  3. Development of analytical capacity at academic and government institutions for generation of routine vital statistics reports at the district, regional and national levels.
  4. Design and implementation of field validation studies using data capture-recapture methods and medical record reviews to assess data quality.
  5. Demographic and epidemiological analysis of SRS data
  6. Engagement with Indonesian health policy analysts towards utilisation of SRS results for planning and evaluation.

Partnerships

Indonesia

  • National Institute for Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health
  • University of North Sumatra, Medan
  • University of Andalas, Padang
  • University of Sriwijaya, Palembang
  • University of Pajajaran, Bandung
  • University of Diponegoro, Semarang
  • University of Airlangga, Surabaya
  • University of Udayana, Denpasar
  • University of Hasanuudin, Makasar
  • University of Sam Ratulangi, Manado