The Kaduna State Government has announced plans to administer Azithromycin, an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) drug, to 2.8 million children across the state. The initiative is part of the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin (SARMAAN II) project, which was officially launched on Monday.
Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, speaking at the inauguration ceremony, said the drug will be given to children between the ages of one and 59 months. She emphasized the urgent need to tackle preventable childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, sepsis, and diarrhea diseases that continue to claim thousands of young lives each year.
“These illnesses rob families of their joy, communities of their hope, and the state of its brightest future,” Dr. Balarabe said. “Each child lost to a preventable illness represents not just personal grief but a societal failure.”
The SARMAAN II project also includes a significant research component, led by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in collaboration with the Federal and Kaduna State Ministries of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, alongside international partners.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, described the initiative as a key milestone in the state’s effort to reduce under-five mortality. She confirmed that the program will cover all 23 local government areas in the state.
Kaltum-Ahmed acknowledged the collaborative support of key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, development partners, health workers, and community leaders, whose efforts continue to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
West Africa Director for Malaria Consortium, Maxwell Kolawale, said the goal of SARMAAN II is to reduce deaths caused by common childhood diseases. He noted that more than 16,000 personnel have been trained and deployed for the project, underlining its scale and ambition.
“This initiative goes beyond drug distribution,” Kolawale said. “It is a bold step toward reducing under-five mortality, building a resilient health system, and improving long-term health outcomes.”
He commended the Kaduna State Government for its leadership and close collaboration through the Ministry of Health, the State Primary Health Care Board, and frontline health workers.
