Ministry of Health and PAHO promote ICD-11 implementation to improve maternal mortality analysis

Lima, 5 August 2026-The Ministry of Health (Minsa), with technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), held the Workshop on Strengthening the Use of ICD-11 in Maternal Mortality: Classification and Analysis. The workshop brought together professionals responsible for maternal health, epidemiological surveillance, and vital statistics, as well as representatives of the National Committee for the Prevention of Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Mortality. Participants updated their knowledge of the main changes introduced in ICD-11 and its application to maternal mortality analysis. The activity aimed to strengthen national capacities for implementing the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), and improve the analysis of maternal deaths in the country.

ICD-11 as a tool for improving health information

ICD-11 is the latest revision of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases and represents an important advance for health information systems. It incorporates digital tools that facilitate the classification, coding, and analysis of diseases and causes of death. Its implementation will provide more accurate, comparable, and timely information to guide public policies and strengthen decision-making.

As part of the program, PAHO presented the main features of ICD-11, its differences from ICD-10, and the specific changes related to the chapter on pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium. The workshop also addressed definitions, special rules, and recommendations for coding and analyzing maternal deaths, with the aim of improving the quality of records and strengthening epidemiological surveillance.

This update on the classification responds to the need to improve the identification and recording of the causes of maternal death, particularly those resulting from indirect obstetric causes and late maternal deaths. These areas pose challenges for health information systems and for the measurement of this public health indicator.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to review the tools available to support the transition to ICD-11 and strengthen the capacities of national teams responsible for coding, integrating, processing, and analyzing health information.

As part of its technical cooperation with Minsa, PAHO will continue supporting efforts to strengthen national capacities for ICD-11 implementation. This work will help improve the quality of maternal mortality data and reinforce evidence-based decision-making to advance efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths.