Africa-Press – Mauritius. In the context of 6th Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day observed annually on 10 August, an official ceremony organised by the Civil Status Division (CSD) was held, yesterday, in presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, at the Esplanade Emmanuel Anquetil Building in Port Louis.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, the newly appointed Registrar of the CSD, Mrs Chitra Jankee, and other eminent personalities were present.
In his address, President Roopun acknowledged the crucial role of civil status registration in delivering services relating to births, deaths, marriages and other matters concerning the civil status of persons in Mauritius.
These services, he stated, are considered to be the foundation of any Civil Society and the CSD ensures the conservation and protection of the identity of persons thereby ensuring their basic rights.
He underlined that civil status registration is a crucial tool for fostering a more inclusive and equitable society where one can benefit from the provision of essential services such as access to education, healthcare services and social security benefits, amongst others.
On this note, he stressed the need for quality recording of data as they are important indicators in policy and decision-making procedures. He further commended the CSD for recording precise and accurate information and data adding that there is lack of a reliable civil status registration system in many African countries.
President Roopun urged the use of technology for a robust, modernised and up-to-date system for civil status registration. Information must be safeguarded and authenticated in an efficient manner, he added.
For her part, Mrs Jankee, highlighted that the Day has been established by the African Union with the aim to raise awareness of the importance of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems. CRVS systems, she said, are essential pillars for good governance aiming the protection of human rights towards inclusive societies.
The CSD, she indicated, is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation to strengthen its CRVS system through innovative measures in technology.
The key projects are the revamping of the CSD system for a digitalised civil registration records; creation of a new central population database that provides a single repository of all personal data related to Mauritian citizens; and the revamping of the Mauritius National Identity System.
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