Taking to Scale IMCI Implementation in Mongolia 2000-2008
Summary
Mongolia has made good progress in reducing infant and child mortality since 1990. The National Programme for the Development and Protection of Children 2002-2010 outlines the Government’s approach to achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 child-mortality targets set in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session in 2002. Improving the health status of mothers and children is also given priority in the Health Sector Strategic Master Plan 2006-2015 and the medium-term expenditure framework. Recent mortality data show that Mongolia is on track to achieve its MDG for child health.
The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach was begun in Mongolia in 2000. By the end of 2006, IMCI implementation had been extended to all provinces in the country. IMCI was subsequently included as a key approach in the national strategic plan for child health.
A review of the child health programme in 2007 found that a number of lessons had been learnt in the early implementation phase of IMCI that have resulted in more effective programming. This report summarizes the lessons learnt and directions for the future.