In today’s edition of health promotion, we sat with Lamin Fatty, deputy registrar birth and death at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to outline the significance of birth and death registration. Below is an excerpt of his responds to some of ou7r questions.

Who is responsible for births and deaths registration?

The Registry of Births and deaths Unit, is responsible of registering all births and deaths occurring within the country, as well as to Gambians outside the country and issuing relevant certificates respectively. It is also responsible for verifying and authenticating all births and deaths certificates as required by both national and international communities. The unit is responsible for the day to day administration and management of births and deaths registration processes.

Purpose
Birth and death registration is a right base programme aimed at generating data on fertility and mortality for informed decision making and decision taking processes. The data generated could be used also as indicators to assess the effectiveness of our services in respect to vision 2020 and PRSPIIevery MDGs. As stated in a slogan; “when every child has a name and nationality, then every child counts”.

The certificates produced serve individuals as prerequisite documents to access their rights in the forms of:
• Identity
• Establishing  parental relationship
• Protection  for example: against  child labour, abuse, trafficking
• Individual benefit- access to health care, education, obtaining other national documents and ascertain national and international rights
• Planning
• Health data base on fertility and mortality of the country

Where to register?
One could register birth of a child at all government health facilities in the country. It is also at could be done at Central level in Banjul. Registration could be done at Reproductive and Child Health Clinic (RCH) during clinic sessions at both base clinic and outreach clinics.

Who should register?
The biological father who should come with his ID card, or the mother with father’s ID to substantiate paternity if marriage, In the absent of both the parents, the land lord or close relative with supporting document of the applicant’s father.

How to register?
The documents required:
• An authentic infant welfare card + father’s ID card where necessary
• Informant ‘s ID card or passport
Or attestation from:
• Alikalo, District chief or that of mayor- BCC or KMC
• Declaration form be filled and attached to attestation form
• For applicants with declaration form, the both the applicant and declarant (informant) should be present at the interview.

Fees
Applicants 0-5 years are free. This subside is done by the government of Gambia so as to enhance early registrations by the parents. Late registration fees is D12.50

Legal Implication:
Any false information given to register or cause to register to acquire a birth certificate, forged, alteration on both birth certificate and/ register, if convicted, could lead to an imprisonment up 7years with or without hard labour, with no fine.