Chennai, May 28:
The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued a new directive aimed at improving the accuracy and speed of issuing death certificates across hospitals in the state.
Under the new order, special audit committees will be established at hospital, district, and state levels in line with the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) guidelines. The move comes after reports indicated that nearly 25% to 40% of death certificates in Tamil Nadu contain errors, including incomplete information and incorrect causes of death.
To address these discrepancies, hospitals have been instructed to ensure that accurate death certificates are issued within 24 hours. The audit mechanism will cover a wide range of healthcare facilities, including government hospitals, primary health centres, medical colleges, private hospitals, and ESI institutions.
In addition, monthly review meetings will be conducted to monitor implementation and ensure compliance with the revised standards. The initiative is expected to strengthen public health data systems and improve the reliability of mortality statistics across the state.