Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Programme and Sustainable Development Goals

Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) strategy implementation is proven to reduce under-five-year child mortality and morbidity. The strategy is associated with improved skills for professionals in managing childhood illnesses as well as managing preventable under-five childhood illnesses. Improving IMCI implementation is key to reducing under-five-year child mortality and morbidity. A means to attain sustainable development goal (SDG) number three (3) which focuses on ending preventable deaths of the under-five year of age, with all countries aiming to reduce the under-five-year mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births. The chapter is aimed at exploring and describing the IMCI implementation, the aim, benefits, barriers to IMCI implementation, as well as facilitators of the strategy implementation in relation to the health care system, health care workers, and families and communities. In attaining the sustainable development goal (SDG) number (3), scheduled supervision adherence, in-service training of those implementing the strategy, and counselling and educating mothers and guardians in the care of the under-five years to be strengthened. The chapter will assist health professionals and policymakers in developing strategies to accelerate IMCI strategy implementation as a means to attain SDGs.