Community Child Health and IMCI
PGD Community Child Health and IMCI 2024/25
Description
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.
Course Dates
Course start dateMonday, 8 December 2025
Course end dateMonday, 5 January 2026