The Government of the Maldives has made a historic investment in the human and technical resources that underpin its national civil registration, vital statistics (CRVS) and identity (ID) management system, dedicating approximately US$ 1 million (MVR 15.4 million) in new funding for the fiscal year 2024-2025. These investments are the result of a successful budget advocacy program that commenced in late 2022 through a partnership between Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and the Maldives Department of National Registration (DNR).

The new funding will be used to create a cadre of subnational civil registrars, expand biometric technology for ID management nationwide and make its online birth, death, marriage and divorce registration systems interoperable. Data from CRVS systems helps governments prioritize health challenges, develop policies and deploy resources to improve public health systems.

Full article from Global Health Advocacy Incubator available here.