The Siddiqui et al. Integrated VASA Framework: A National Imperative for Strengthening Child Mortality Surveillance in Pakistan.

Abstract

Pakistan faces persistently high under-five and neonatal mortality, compounded by weaknesses in its Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system. While biomedical causes of death are sometimes documented, social and systemic determinants remain underreported. Traditional Verbal Autopsy assigns medical causes, whereas Social Autopsy identifies barriers such as financial constraints and transport delays; conducted separately, these methods are inefficient and burdensome. The Siddiqui et al. Integrated VASA Framework combines both approaches within a single, validated instrument grounded in established theoretical models. Implemented with digital data collection, it demonstrates strong reliability and scalability, offering a comprehensive, policy-relevant strategy for child mortality reduction.