Post Graduate Diploma in Community Child Health and IMCI

Programme Overview for Prospective Students

Specialize in the health and well-being of Nigeria's youngest population with this comprehensive postgraduate programme. Designed to equip community health professionals with advanced skills in child health management, this diploma focuses on the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach, newborn care, nutrition, immunization, and the prevention and management of common childhood conditions in community settings.

Programme Structure

First Semester (18 Credit Units)

Build expertise in essential newborn care, immunization, and foundational child health principles.

Course Code	Course Title	CU	LH	PH	CH
CHIC 711	Essential Newborn Care	3	60	45	105
CHIC 712	Neonatal Infections and Injuries	3	60	45	105
CHIC 713	Immunization	3	60	45	105
CHIC 714	Integrated Management of Childhood Illness	3	60	45	105
CHIC 715	Growth and Development	3	60	45	105
CHIC 716	Nutritional Assessment of 0-5 Years	3	60	45	105
CHIC 717	Child Abuse	3	45	-	45
CHIG 711	Bioethics	3	45	-	45
CHIG 712	Research Methods and Seminar	3	45	-	45

Second Semester (22 Credit Units)

Advance your clinical skills and apply knowledge in practical community child health settings.

Course Code	Course Title	CU	LH	PH	CH
CHIC 721	Micronutrient Deficiency	3	60	45	105
CHIC 722	Out-Patient Management of Childhood Illness (0-5 Years)	3	60	45	105
CHIC 723	Common Management of Malnutrition	3	60	45	105
CHIC 724	Practicum	4	-	180	180
CHIG 721	Community Health Management	3	45	-	45
CHIG 722	Research Project	6	30	180	210

Total Programme: 40 Credit Units | 840 Contact Hours

What You Will Learn to Do

Newborn and Neonatal Care:

Provide comprehensive essential newborn care including resuscitation and thermal management
Prevent, diagnose, and manage common neonatal infections and injuries
Implement kangaroo mother care and other evidence-based neonatal interventions
Monitor neonatal growth and identify early warning signs of complications

Child Health Assessment and Management:

Apply the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach systematically
Conduct thorough nutritional assessments for children aged 0-5 years
Manage common childhood illnesses in outpatient and community settings
Prevent, identify, and manage micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition
Monitor and promote optimal growth and development milestones

Preventive and Community-Based Interventions:

Implement and manage childhood immunization programmes according to national schedules
Design and conduct community nutrition programmes for children and caregivers
Recognize, respond to, and prevent child abuse and neglect situations
Develop and implement community child health promotion and education initiatives
Coordinate child health services within primary healthcare systems

Who Should Enroll?

Community Health Practitioners specializing in maternal and child health services
Primary Healthcare Workers responsible for child health clinics and programmes
Public Health Officers managing child survival and development initiatives
NGO Staff implementing child health and nutrition programmes
Nutrition Officers focusing on infant and young child feeding
Healthcare Professionals seeking advanced skills in pediatric community health

Career Pathways

Community Child Health Specialists in primary health centers
IMCI Programme Coordinators at local government and state levels
Child Nutrition Officers managing community feeding programmes
Newborn Care Coordinators in maternal and child health units
Child Protection Officers addressing abuse and neglect cases
Immunization Programme Managers for childhood vaccines
Research Officers in child health and development studies

Programme Highlights

IMCI Focus: Specialized training in the WHO-endorsed Integrated Management of Childhood Illness approach
Practical Emphasis: 375 hours of hands-on training and practicum experience
Comprehensive Coverage: From newborn care to preschool child health management
Nutrition Integration: Strong focus on nutritional assessment and intervention
Research Component: Complete a community-based child health research project
MCPD Accreditation: Counts toward Mandatory Continuous Professional Development
National Alignment: Supports Nigeria's child survival and development goals

Key Competencies Developed

Systematic assessment and classification of sick children using IMCI guidelines
Management of common childhood conditions: pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles
Nutritional counseling and support for caregivers
Immunization service delivery and cold chain management
Growth monitoring and promotion techniques
Child protection and abuse prevention strategies
Community mobilization for child health programmes

Why This Programme Is Critical

Addresses high child mortality rates in Nigeria through skilled intervention
Builds capacity for achieving Sustainable Development Goal targets for child health
Provides practical skills for immediate application in community health settings
Supports national efforts to reduce malnutrition and preventable childhood deaths
Enhances career opportunities in the growing field of child public health
Empowers communities to take ownership of child health and well-being

Become a specialist in child health and contribute to reducing infant and child mortality in Nigerian communities. Equip yourself with evidence-based skills to manage childhood illnesses, promote healthy growth, and transform child health outcomes at the community level.