This community innovation has been accepted at the 2026 DHIS2 Annual Conference and will be in abstract track/lightning talk.
Bridging mortality data gaps in Lao PDR using DHIS2
Reliable information on causes of death remains a major gap in many low- and middle-income countries, where most deaths occur outside health facilities and are not captured by routine health information systems or civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. In Lao PDR, over 90% of deaths occur outside health facilities and lack medically certified causes of death. To address this gap, we implemented a community based mortality surveillance system integrated into the national DHIS2 platform to improve the completeness and usability of mortality data. Under this approach, village health volunteers (VHVs) notify deaths occurring in the community and report them to the responsible health facility based on established catchment areas. Health facilities enter death notifications into DHIS2, where data are reviewed at district and provincial levels. Verbal autopsy (VA) is conducted for selected community deaths. VA results are then coded and linked back to the original death records in DHIS2, enabling integration of mortality counts and probable causes of death within a single national system. This model serves both public health surveillance and CRVS strengthening by improving the coverage of community deaths and generating probable causes of death where medical certification is not available. It addresses a critical gap in mortality measurement, particularly for rural and remote populations, and supports more evidence-based health planning and monitoring. The Lao PDR experience demonstrates the feasibility of integrating community death notification and verbal autopsy into routine digital health systems. By leveraging existing community health structures and DHIS2 workflows, the approach provides a scalable pathway for countries seeking to strengthen mortality surveillance, improve cause of death data, and advance CRVS systems in resource-constrained settings.
Primary Author: Achala Upendra Jayatilleke
Keywords:
Community death notification, verbal autopsy, mortality surveillance, CRVS, health information systems, DHIS2, Lao PDR
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