Speaking to AYV, the Deputy Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths Richard Konie said that the revenue generated clearly demonstrates his institution’s proactive posture and result-oriented strides towards rejuvenating and streamlining the Births and Deaths Department.
Richard Konie stated that the Births and Deaths Department was established by an Act of Parliament with the primary objective of registering and collating a comprehensive and dependable data of births and Deaths across the country.
Although his institution is not a profit making entity, he went on to state that government should provide the required administrative equipment such as computers, vehicles, personnel, improve on the toilet facilities and the general working environment within the Births and Deaths Department.
He further told AYV that, when he took over as the Deputy Chief Registrar, he realized that the department was faced with enormous challenges, adding that with the support of government through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, staff and other nongovernmental organizations, the Births and Deaths has been able to surmount several challenges.
Richard Konie further disclosed that the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has also organized a three day seminar for staff of Births and Deaths in the Western Area at the Radisson Blu Hotel Conference hall in Freetown, stating that the during the seminar, staff and other participants from various local and international nongovernmental organizations acquired knowledge and new administrative skills on interagency Technical Consultation Mortality Reporting in Sierra Leone.
He maintained that the main objective of the seminar was specifically meant for create public understanding and the significance of Births and deaths reporting, enhance existing processes of deaths and exchange views, observations and the need to improve on births and deaths registration in the country.
Richard Konie went on to assure that similar seminars will be organized for the Births and Deaths staff in the provinces, so as to enhance their operational capacity and at the same time, encourage the rural communities to cooperate and develop recommendations on improving Births and Deaths registrations.
The Deputy Chief Registrar expressed profound appreciation to Goal Ireland, International Red Cross, and Centre for Disease Control, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and the Anti Corruption Commission for it positive contributions and continued support to the department over the years.
He however urged other nongovernmental organizations at home and abroad with keen interest in Births and Deaths to continue their support to the department and also encouraged the general public to register their births and deaths with the department.
