Efforts to reduce preventable childhood deaths in Nigeria received another boost as the Kebbi State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, flagged off the third round of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of Azithromycin for children under the ongoing SARMAAN project.
The intervention, implemented by Malaria Consortium, was inaugurated at the Palace of the District Head of Nasarawa in Birnin Kebbi and drew participation from government officials, traditional and religious leaders, healthcare workers, development partners, mothers, and community representatives.
SARMAAN — Saving Antibiotics for Resistant Microbes through Administration of Azithromycin in Nigeria — is a child survival initiative designed to reduce mortality associated with common childhood infections while strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance and responsible antibiotic administration systems.
The project aligns with Nigeria’s broader child health and primary healthcare agenda, particularly in northern states where under-five mortality rates remain among the highest in the country due to malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare services.
According to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), azithromycin mass administration has shown promise in reducing childhood mortality in high-burden communities when implemented within carefully monitored public health frameworks that also prioritise antimicrobial stewardship.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Samaila Augie, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of children across the state.
He urged parents and caregivers to ensure eligible children benefit from the intervention, describing the programme as a critical component of the state’s strategy for improving child survival outcomes and expanding access to essential healthcare services.
“The health and survival of our children remain a top priority for the Kebbi State Government. We encourage communities to support this intervention and ensure that eligible children are reached,” he said.
The event highlighted growing collaboration among the Kebbi State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, Malaria Consortium, traditional institutions, and community structures in driving public health interventions at the grassroots level.
Observers noted that the active participation of traditional rulers and the National Orientation Agency reflected increasing recognition that successful public health interventions depend not only on medicines and healthcare workers, but also on trust, awareness creation, and sustained community engagement.
Health authorities involved in the programme said extensive mobilisation had been undertaken across hundreds of health facilities statewide to support smooth implementation of the exercise.
Public health experts have repeatedly stressed that Nigeria’s battle against under-five mortality requires integrated interventions that combine disease prevention, nutrition, immunisation, maternal healthcare, sanitation, and strong community participation.
Kebbi State’s latest azithromycin campaign also builds on previous partnerships around malaria vaccination, insecticide-treated net distribution, and other child health initiatives aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
Stakeholders at the event said the intervention demonstrated how coordinated leadership by government, development partners, frontline health workers, and communities could accelerate progress toward improved child survival outcomes.
They added that sustained investment in community-based health programmes would remain essential to reducing preventable deaths among children and achieving national and global health targets.