By Abdul Ghani

Pakistan has recorded 265,820 birth notifications through birth registration and notification tool piloted by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to 4,959 health facilities, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The initiative aims to improve birth reporting through health facilities and strengthen coordination among the health sector, local government authorities, and NADRA, helping build a more effective system for recording births.

According to the document, the programme is part of broader efforts to make birth registration more accessible and strengthen the institutional mechanisms needed to protect children's rights.

Rolling out birth notification tool to 4,959 health facilities is an important step toward integrating healthcare services with civil registration systems. By improving the flow of birth information, the initiative can help authorities identify registration needs and make the process more efficient for families.

The 265,820 notifications recorded by the report’s publication demonstrate the initiative’s reach, while continued coordination among relevant institutions could further support the transition from birth notification to formal registration.

The document also highlights progress in policy coordination and measures to reduce financial barriers to birth registration.

Following the National Commission on the Rights of the Child’s (NCRC’s) advocacy, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) steering committees have been established in all provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory.

The document reports that fee waivers for birth registration have been secured in Punjab for children up to seven years of age and in Sindh for children up to five years of age.

These measures are intended to make registration more accessible and encourage families to obtain official birth records for their children.

The provincial Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) figures show under-five birth registration rates of 79.9 per cent in Punjab, 44.1 per cent in Balochistan, 34 per cent in Sindh and 29.5 per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The figures are based on surveys conducted in different years, ranging from 2018-19 in Sindh to 2024 in Punjab. While they are not directly comparable as a single-year snapshot, they provide a baseline for strengthening registration services and measuring future progress.

Birth registration is a cornerstone of child protection, providing official recognition of a child's identity and helping establish age and family relationships. Reliable registration data can also assist governments in planning education, healthcare and other essential services.

The document underscores the importance of continued collaboration among federal and provincial governments, NADRA, health facilities and local authorities to expand access to registration and improve coordination.

Credit: INP-WealthPk