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Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)

OBJECTIVES OF IMCI

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

Reduce death and frequency and severity of illness and disability


Contribute to improved growth and development

PRINCIPLES OF THE IMCI CASE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

All sick children aged up to 5 years are examined for general danger signs and all
sick young infants are examined for very severe disease. These signs indicate
immediate referral or admission to hospital
The children and infants are then assessed for main symptoms. For older children,
the main symptoms include: cough or difficulty breathing, diarrhea, fever and ear
infection. For young children, local bacterial infection, diarrhea and jaundice.
All sick children are routinely assessed for nutritional and immunization and
deworming status and other problems
Only a limited number of clinical signs are used
A combination of individual signs leads to a childs classification within one or
more symptom groups rather than a diagnosis.
IMCI management procedures use limited number of essential drugs and encourage
active participation of caretakers in the treatment of children
Counseling of caretakers on home care, correct feeding and giving of fluids, and
when to return to clinic is an essential component of IMCI

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE IMCI STRATEGY?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

Addresses major child health problems because it systematically address the most
important causes of children illness and death.
Responds to demands.
Promotes prevention as well as cure because IMCI emphasizes important preventive
interventions such as immunization and breastfeeding.
Is cost-effective- most cost-effective interventions in low and middle income
countries (World Bank).
Promotes cost-saving.
Improves equity IMCI improves inequity in global health care.

WHAT ARE THE FOCUS OF IMCI?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

Improving case management skills of health workers


Improving over-all health systems
Improving family and community health practices

WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE IMCI CASE MANAGEMENT PROCESS?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC


ASSESS THE CHILDS ILLNESS
CLASSIFY THE ILLNESS BASED ON SIGNS
IDENTIFY TREATMENT
TREAT THE CHILD
COUNSEL THE CARETAKER
FOLLOW-UP

WHAT IS IMCI?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

IMCI is an integrated approach to child health that focuses on the well-being of


the whole child. IMCI aims to reduce death, illness and disability and to promote
improved growth and development among children under five years of age. IMCI
include curative and preventive elements that are implemented by families and
communities and by health facilities.

The strategy was developed by World Health Organization and UNICEF and is used by
most countries in the world.

WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF IMCI IMPLEMENTATION?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

IMCI is implemented in 70% of all health facilities nationwide. IMCI is also


integrated in the Nursing, Midwifery and Medical Pre- Service Education. The
attached lists/addresses of DOH Centers for Development (CHDs) in 17 regions can
provide technical assistance in IMCI training. The list also includes the Nursing
and Midwifery Schools designated as Training Institution for IMCI Pre-Service.

WHY AN INTEGRATED APPROACH?

Name of Office: FHO, NCDPC

Ten million children die each year and majority of these deaths are caused by 5
preventable and treatable conditions namely: pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles
and malnutrition. Three (3) out of four (4) episodes of childhood illness are
caused by these five conditions

Most children have more than one illness at one time. This overlap means that a
single diagnosis may not be possible or appropriate.

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