Government says JCE registers 90% of hospital births nationwide

The progress was highlighted during the renewal of the Framework Agreement for Interinstitutional Cooperation for Timely and Late Birth Registration, which was extended for another four years. The initiative aims to eliminate civil under-registration and ensure that all children are officially registered at birth.

Among the achievements cited were awareness campaigns that reached more than 700,000 pregnant women, the implementation of the “Express Route” program to assist individuals facing documentation challenges, and the establishment of Civil Registry offices in every maternal and child hospital across the country.

The renewed agreement, which will remain in effect through 2030, brings together GANA, the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Ministry of the Presidency, and 14 other institutions. The effort seeks to universalize birth registration within the legal timeframe through immediate registration of newborns.

As part of the new phase, authorities will strengthen technological integration through the creation of the Registry System for Children and Adolescents (SIRENNA), developed by CONANI. The platform will allow information-sharing among institutions within the National Protection System, improving coordination and access to services.

The agreement also transfers coordination of the interinstitutional monitoring committee to the JCE, recognizing its constitutional role as the authority responsible for the Civil Registry and identity documentation.

During the signing ceremony, First Lady Raquel Arbaje emphasized the importance of ensuring that no child leaves a hospital without a birth certificate, noting that access to education and other fundamental rights often depends on having legal identity documents.

Officials said the renewed partnership will help consolidate a public policy focused on guaranteeing every Dominican child the right to legal identity and full access to the protections and opportunities provided under the country’s laws.