Integrated Management of
Childhood Illness (IMCI)
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness or IMCI has several key
points in the promotion and restoration of health of children in the community.
It has been improved to provide a more integrated approach to managing sick
children by UNICEF in cooperation with the World Health Organization.
The main objectives of IMCI involves the reduction of significantly global child
mortality and morbidity associated with the major causes of illness and as well
contribute to the promotion of healthy growth and development of children.
Its components basically encompass the improvement of several aspects of
health in the community, which are:
▪ Skills of health workers in case management
▪ Health care delivery system
▪ Family and community health practices
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness does not only emphasize the
adjustment of curative interventions in the community but to encourage the
active involvement of family members and the community in the health care
process. Thus, health teaching/ counselling as an essential component in the
improvement of health is being utilized in IMCI.
This guide manual is being utilized by health care workers in the:
▪ Assessment and classification (colour coded)
▪ Identification of appropriate treatment
▪ Treatment or referral
▪ Provision of health teaching and counselling
▪ Giving instructions for follow- up in the rural health unit
Case management of sick children covers those infants aged up to 2 months
old and children aged 2 months old up to 5 years. These children are assessed
for any “general danger signs” which indicate the need for immediate referral
to hospital facility. In addition, the common major symptoms are also checked.
The child’s nutritional and immunization status, feeding problems, and other
potential problems are also noted and dealt with.
In the new edition of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, the health
workers are not only task to provide interventions for the sick child but also to
give health teachings with regards to mother’s health and how to express
breast milk.
Childhood Illness (IMCI)
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness or IMCI has several key
points in the promotion and restoration of health of children in the community.
It has been improved to provide a more integrated approach to managing sick
children by UNICEF in cooperation with the World Health Organization.
The main objectives of IMCI involves the reduction of significantly global child
mortality and morbidity associated with the major causes of illness and as well
contribute to the promotion of healthy growth and development of children.
Its components basically encompass the improvement of several aspects of
health in the community, which are:
▪ Skills of health workers in case management
▪ Health care delivery system
▪ Family and community health practices
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness does not only emphasize the
adjustment of curative interventions in the community but to encourage the
active involvement of family members and the community in the health care
process. Thus, health teaching/ counselling as an essential component in the
improvement of health is being utilized in IMCI.
This guide manual is being utilized by health care workers in the:
▪ Assessment and classification (colour coded)
▪ Identification of appropriate treatment
▪ Treatment or referral
▪ Provision of health teaching and counselling
▪ Giving instructions for follow- up in the rural health unit
Case management of sick children covers those infants aged up to 2 months
old and children aged 2 months old up to 5 years. These children are assessed
for any “general danger signs” which indicate the need for immediate referral
to hospital facility. In addition, the common major symptoms are also checked.
The child’s nutritional and immunization status, feeding problems, and other
potential problems are also noted and dealt with.
In the new edition of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, the health
workers are not only task to provide interventions for the sick child but also to
give health teachings with regards to mother’s health and how to express
breast milk.
