The NEWS (Monrovia)
22 April 2008
Monrovia — The Family Health Division of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has begun an 11-day training for health workers in Margibi County which is intended to broaden their knowledge in childhood illness management
The training of the health practitioners in integrated management of childhood illness is expected to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of children who are less than five years old.
Speaking Monday at the start of the training program held at the Liberia Baptist Seminary on the Monrovia- Robertsfield highway, the Course Director of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Dr. Saye Baawo said the training would also improve the quality of care provided to children under five years at first level health facilities.
Dr. Baawo, in an overview said, the course would provide the basis for the promotion of the general health of the children including growth and development.
He said component of the IMCI seeks to improve case management skills of health workers, family and community practices which support child survival, growth and development.
He said he believes the training program would yield positive impact on the skills of health workers and system, thereby calling for the scaling up of the training in most parts of the country.
Also making remarks, the County Health Officer of Margibi County, Dr. Hawa Kromah said the intent of the training program is to ensure that professional people are posted in the counties and urged the participants to take the training very seriously.
She said upon the completion of the training program the county health system would be on par with others in terms of improved health facilities.
For his part, the Superintendent of Margibi County Levi Piah commended the Ministry of Health for initiating such training program aimed at sharpening the skills of the county's health workers.
The integrated management childhood illness strategy was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with UNICEF and other international agencies.
The IMCI is a holistic approach that addresses the management of selected major childhood illnesses including the aspect of nutrition and immunization.
Other aspects such as disease prevention and health promotion to enhance optimal growth and development, as well as to ensure the reduction in under age morbidity and mortality are also addressed by the IMCI.
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