Table 1.

Eight benchmarks for implementation

Country-level planning, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of integrated community case management (iCCM) activities can be facilitated using a set of benchmarks (www.CCMCentral.com) that were developed by an interagency team.* These benchmarks are organized according to eight system components, each of which key activities and milestones to guide the process:
1. Coordination and policymaking: Needs assessment and situation analysis for community-based treatment services, including geographical mapping of communities suitable for iCCM; national policies and guidelines in place to allow treatment at the community level; mapping of current CCM activities and partners; and a national coordination mechanism for iCCM.
2. Costing and financing: Costing exercise to ensure that necessary financing is secured.
3. Human resources: Clear and well-articulated roles and expectations for community health workers and communities; comprehensive basic and refresher training plan for community health workers; and strategies for retention and motivation.
4. Supply chain management: Appropriate child-friendly medicines and supplies for iCCM included in the national essential medicines list; and procurement plan, inventory control, resupply logistics system and logistics management and information system for iCCM with standard operating procedures.
5. Service delivery and referral: Appropriate guidelines for clinical assessment, diagnosis, management and referral, including plans for rational use of medicines (and rapid diagnostic tests where applicable); and referral and counter-referral system for iCCM.
6. Communication and social mobilization: Communication and social mobilization plan and strategy; and materials and messages for iCCM.
7. Supervision and performance quality assurance: Plan and appropriate tools to support effective supervision; trained supervisors; and resources (e.g., vehicles, fuel) to conduct supervision and provide skills coaching to community health workers.
8. Monitoring and evaluation and health information systems: Comprehensive monitoring framework and system for all CCM components, integrated within the national health sector plan and health information system; and operational research agenda for iCCM.

^*McGorman L and others.²⁰