Browsing by Subject "legal framework"

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    Open Access
    Determining stillbirth data reporting systems in Africa
    (2025) Gumede, Simphiwe W; Maswime, Salome; Kinney, Mary; Pule, Mosonngwa
    Background Stillbirths are an important public health concern, with an estimated 1.9 million stillbirths occurring globally each year, more between 2020-2021 data. However, the recording, investigation, and classification of stillbirths vary across countries, leading to inconsistencies in data collection and analysis. This study aimed to assess the current data systems and practices regarding stillbirth recording, data collection, analysis, and utilization in African countries. Study design The study used a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach, involving the surveillance of national data systems and other existing systems in African countries. Method The study was undertaken in African countries by University of Cape Town in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and UNICEF. The study involved a survey of the national data systems recording stillbirths in the African countries and other reporting systems that countries use. Results A survey of 55 African countries (34 respondents) revealed critical insights into stillbirth reporting and data management. Among responding countries, 76% defined stillbirth using a gestational age threshold of ≥28 weeks, while 48% used a birth weight criterion of ≥1000 grams. Significant policy gaps were identified: 47% lacked mandates for stillbirth classification, and only 57% integrated stillbirth targets into national health strategies. Despite 88% of countries routinely collecting stillbirth data, methods varied (paper-based vs. digital), and 54% reported no data quality assessments in the past decade. Classification systems for causes of death varied, with ICD-PM and ICD-10 each used by 35% of countries. Nurses/midwives were primarily responsible for data entry (73%), yet challenges persisted, including inadequate health worker capacity (53%) and poor infrastructure (42%). Only 42% of countries disseminated stillbirth reports publicly, often relying on aggregated tables rather than interactive formats. Regional disparities underscored systemic issues in healthcare access, data standardization, and governance, emphasizing the urgent need for policy harmonization and strengthened health information systems. Conclusion The persistent inconsistencies in the recording, investigation, and classification of stillbirths and perinatal deaths across African countries-evident in different gestational age (20-28 weeks) and birth weight thresholds (<500g to <1000g), ambiguous civil registration laws (82% of countries), and fragmented national policies (only 27% with stillbirth-specific targets) highlight an urgent need for standardised definitions and consistent legal frameworks. These gaps perpetuate unreliable data, obstructing targeted interventions and accountability mechanisms. To address this, governments must adopt WHO-aligned criteria, integrate stillbirth reduction into national health strategies, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration for robust civil registration systems. Prioritizing these steps, alongside research into context-specific barriers (e.g., stigma, resource limitations), will not only improve data accuracy but also catalyse actionable insights to reduce preventable stillbirths and advance maternal and newborn health outcomes globally.
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    Maritime safety: the legal framework, its practical application and developments of the recent years
    (2010) Malinowski, Martin; Hare, John
    Not at least since the disaster of the Titanic, the public realised that ships are not unsinkable. Of course, for centuries ships have been a dangerous place to work on. However, it was not only pine for adventure that motivated people to sign on ships, but rather the much better wages. But the threat caused by ships changed in the last century. In the time of wooden or steal built sailing ships, the only fear was the loss of life. Even though this is a serious threat until today, the cargo of ships and the source of their actuation caused new dangers. Since the invention of the diesel engine, ships are carrying bunker on their voyages. Since 18861, tankers were used to transport huge loads of oil across the oceans. This form of actuation and also cargo created new dangers for the environment. The tankers began to grow quite quickly. In the 1960's2 , the world realised, that not only human lives are in danger on sea, but also the environment.
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    Towards strengthening and harmonising: fisheries governance and legal frameworks in the Southern African 'Developing Countries (SADC) in an effort to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in the region
    (2010) Mugjenkar, Abeeda; Feris, Loretta
    Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the most serious threats to the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources, jeopardizing the very foundation upon which legislation and policies are based the world over and the global efforts to promote better ocean and governance. IUU fishing also represents a major hazard to the marine environment, the sustainability of fish stocks and marine biodiversity. International, regional, national organizations and governments have been tremendously active in the fight against IUU fishing over decades, some achieving success and others failing dismally. In 2001, the Food and Agriculture's Organization of the United Nations (FAQ's) adopted an International Plan of Action on IUU fishing (the IPOA-IUU) to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing.1 The IPOA-IUU2 is a voluntary instrument which aims at preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU fishing by providing countries with a set of comprehensive, effective and transparent measures on the basis of which they may act either directly or through relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).3 The· IPOA-IUU seek to address IUU fishing in a holistic manner and provide a comprehensive 'toolbox' as a checklist so that States4 can select those measures that are most relevant to their particular situations. The implementation of the IPOA-IUU focuses on the elaboration of national plans of action on seven types of measures such as coastal State measures, port State measures, and market related measures.