In this first module we discuss the importance of the correct certification of cause of death and the role of a medical doctor in producing reliable causes of death statistics.

You should now be able:

• To explain the importance of correct death certification to accurate mortality statistics, to public health policy and planning, as well as the allocation of resources.
• To discuss the quality of death certification in South Africa.
• To explain the role of medical doctors, as part of the official mortality system, for improving quality of death certification, 
• And to discuss the legal, ethical and confidentiality issues related to death certification.