Operational Guide for Establishing and Implementing Mortality Surveillance in Africa, July 2024

PREFACE

In response to the growing necessity for accurate and timely information regarding deaths categorized by age, sex, and cause of death, underscored by the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) developed the Continental Framework designed to fortify mortality surveillance within the African Union Member States. This Operational Guide is a comprehensive companion, delineating specific activities harmonized with the framework. This guide outlines fundamental steps and instructions for establishing an effective mortality surveillance system through its pages. Each chapter contributes to a cohesive and actionable guide from providing essential background insights to detailing a model structure for national programs, assessing existing mortality data systems, formulating optimal system designs based on assessments, developing national action plans, and the critical facet of implementation monitoring and evaluation.

This document highlights the importance of adapting to various country-specific situations in order to maximise the effectiveness of current systems and resources, thereby preventing duplication and redundancy. The guide also furnishes templates for various stages, positioning both the Continental Framework and Operational Guide as indispensable tools for elevating mortality surveillance in Africa at national and regional levels.