Kaduna: The Kaduna State Government has announced its intention to administer Azithromycin, an antimicrobial resistance drug, to 2.8 million children across the state. This initiative was disclosed by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe during the inauguration of the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin (SARMAAN II) project in Kaduna. The program targets children aged one to 59 months.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the mass administration campaign is part of a broader effort to combat illnesses that disproportionately affect children under five and pregnant women. Dr. Balarabe emphasized the importance of preventing diseases that continue to claim young lives, describing each child lost to preventable illness as a significant societal failure. She highlighted the ongoing threats posed by phenomena such as sepsis and diarrhea, which result in numerous child fatalities annually.
The research component of the project will be spearheaded by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in collaboration with federal and state health ministries, national agencies like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and international partners. Health Commissioner Umma Kaltum-Ahmed noted that SARMAAN II represents a vital step in reducing under-five mortality rates across Kaduna's 23 local governments. The initiative is a joint effort involving the Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Malaria Consortium, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NAFDAC, and Solina Health, among others.
Kaltum-Ahmed acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, development partners, health workers, and community stakeholders, which have been instrumental in strengthening the state's health systems. She stated that the program, scheduled to run every six months, is a testament to Kaduna State's commitment to prioritizing child health and survival. The project also aims to gather essential data to monitor antimicrobial resistance, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Dr. Maxwell Kolawale, West Africa Director of the Malaria Consortium, stated that the initiative's goal is to decrease mortality from prevalent childhood illnesses. He highlighted the training and employment of over 16,000 personnel as part of the project's ambitious objectives. Dr. Kolawale also pointed out that the project is not solely about drug administration but also aims to develop a resilient health system and improve long-term health outcomes. He noted the importance of research as part of SARMAAN II, funded by the Gates Foundation, and commended the state government for its leadership and collaboration.
Finally, Yakubu Jarimi, Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, expressed gratitude to the state and development partners for their support and pledged the local government's commitment to enhancing the primary health system to reduce child and maternal mortality.