Guidelines for Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition in Uganda 2016

The IMAM approach is a comprehensive strategy which combines and links inpatient treatment (severe with complications) with outpatient care (severe without complications), management of children with moderate acute malnutrition (where possible) and comprehensive community mobilization and involvement.

In March 2010, the MOH launched the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) guidelines that further incorporated treatment of malnourished adolescents, adults, pregnant and lactating women. These guidelines provided the framework for ensuring appropriate preventive interventions, early identification and treatment of the acutely malnourished. Since this publication, there have been various developments and lessons learnt through use of the guidelines for example: (a) Mid-Upper Arm Circumference is being increasingly used to assess wasting, (b) in November 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new updates on the management of severe acute malnutrition to contribute to improved quality of care for nutrition and health of the severely malnourished (c) ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) are becoming more available through importation as well as local production and (d) admission criteria into supplementary feeding programme has been revised for pregnant women.

As a result, more opportunities now exist for early identification and referral of the acutely malnourished for treatment. Similarly, there are increasing opportunities for early discharge of the severely malnourished from the health facility to continue receiving care in the community. This update takes into account these developments. This version of the IMAM guidelines was revised and updated through a consultative process involving international and national technical experts.