Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42773943›Full record

ArticleGlobal health action2026

Institutionalizing medical certification of cause of death training: experiences and insights from seven countries.

Rodela Anjum Khan, Beatriz Plaza, Fatima Marinho, Nazrul Islam, Moyeen Uddin, Nelson Alí Gordillo Alfonso, Aura Liliana Torres Umbarila, Wubetsh Ayenew, Yeshitila Worabu, Azeb Atraga and 21 more

Abstract read
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Article in Global health action, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

31 authors.

Rodela Anjum KhanIndependent Consultant, Portugal.
Beatriz PlazaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Fatima MarinhoPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Nazrul IslamPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Moyeen UddinPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Nelson Alí Gordillo AlfonsoPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Aura Liliana Torres UmbarilaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Wubetsh AyenewPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Yeshitila WorabuPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Azeb AtragaMinistry of Health, Ethiopia.
Tangut AzezeMinistry of Health, Ethiopia.
Selam DergebaMinistry of Health, Ethiopia.
Muluken HaileMinistry of Health, Ethiopia.
Hailu MioMinistry of Health, Ethiopia.
Winfred NziokaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
David KariukiKenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Kenya.
Esther MutheuKenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Kenya.
Godfrey NgobokaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Albert TuyishimeRwanda Biomedical Centre, Rwanda.
Rangana WadugedaraPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Mayakaduwa NimdinuPublic Health Services, Government of Sri Lanka Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
Lakshmi SomatungaPublic Health Services, Government of Sri Lanka Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
Gisbert MsigwaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Claud KumalijaDirectorate of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania.
Grace MagembeChief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania.
Trust NyondoDirectorate of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania.
Robert MswiaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
James MwanzaPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Philip SetelPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Romain SantonPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.
Martin BratschiPublic Health Programs, Vital Strategies, New York, NY, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccurate medical certification of cause of death (MCCD) is indispensable to producing high-quality mortality data for public health planning and health systems. While training is known to improve MCCD quality, countries may struggle to institutionalize training programs sustainably.

objectiveThis study examines the approaches taken by seven countries across three world regions - Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania - to institutionalize MCCD training within national medical education frameworks.

methodsThis qualitative multi-country study used purposive sampling of countries participating in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative. Data were primarily derived from in-depth stakeholder interviews. Thematic analysis identified key enablers, challenges and strategies; all of which were validated through country review and triangulation.

resultsCommon enablers of the institutionalization of MCCD training included government commitment, early stakeholder engagement, integration into pre-service and in-service training, and international partnerships. E-learning and training of trainers expanded their reach, while weak coordination constrained implementation. Linking training to licensure renewal or continuing professional development credits increased uptake. Scale-up required regional adaptation in both decentralized and centralized systems. Long-term sustainability requires integration into national budgets and regulatory frameworks.

conclusionsInstitutionalizing MCCD training is a long-term process shaped by political commitment, regulatory alignment, stakeholder coordination, and flexible training delivery. Findings provide practical insights for embedding MCCD training within national systems, including strengthening legal frameworks, leveraging continuing professional development programs, adapting regionally, and planning for domestic financing.

Indexed as

Death CertificatesEducation, MedicalBangladeshCause of DeathColombiaEthiopiaHumansKenyaQualitative ResearchRwandaSri LankaTanzaniaCivil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)health systems strengtheningMedical certification cause of deathmedical educationqualitative research

Identifiers

PMID42773943
PMCPMC13618090

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.