The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has trained health officers across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state on Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) as part of efforts to improve child healthcare delivery and reduce child mortality.
The training programme, held at Plaza De Aruna Hotel in Oyo town, brought together operational-level health officers responsible for coordinating child health interventions at the grassroots.
According to the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, the initiative was designed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in identifying, preventing, and managing common childhood illnesses affecting children under five years of age.
The programme focused on diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, malnutrition, and vaccine-preventable illnesses, which remain major contributors to child mortality in Nigeria.
Olatunji described the IMCI strategy as one of the most effective global approaches for tackling childhood illnesses and improving survival rates among children. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training in their various local government areas.
“This training is not just another routine programme; it is a deliberate investment in the future of our children and the health system of the state,” he said during the opening ceremony.
The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare through regular capacity building, improved medical infrastructure, and better healthcare policies targeting mothers and children.
The World Health Organization describes IMCI as a holistic child healthcare strategy that improves the ability of health workers to accurately identify and manage childhood illnesses while promoting better family and community health practices.
Participants at the training reportedly appreciated the initiative and pledged to replicate the knowledge acquired in their respective communities to improve healthcare outcomes at the grassroots level.
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