IMCI stands for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness.

It is a strategy
developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) to address the leading causes of childhood mortality and
morbidity. The IMCI approach focuses on the management of common childhood
illnesses in an integrated manner, taking into consideration the child's overall health,
nutrition, and immunization status.

Key components of IMCI include:

1. Improving health worker skills: Training health care providers, including

community health workers, to recognize and manage common childhood
illnesses.
2. Community involvement: Engaging communities in the promotion of child
health and encouraging caregivers to seek timely medical care for sick
children.
3. Integrating services: Providing integrated health services that address
multiple health issues, such as nutrition, immunization, and preventive care, in
addition to the treatment of specific illnesses.
4. Use of standardized guidelines: Implementing standardized guidelines for
the assessment, classification, and management of childhood illnesses, making
it easier for health workers to provide effective care.
5. Monitoring and evaluation: Regularly assessing the implementation of IMCI
programs and adjusting strategies based on ongoing monitoring and
evaluation.

The goal of IMCI is to reduce child mortality and improve child health by addressing
the major causes of illness and death in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
The strategy is particularly relevant in resource-limited settings where access to
healthcare services may be challenging, and there is a need for efficient and effective
management of childhood illnesses