In an effort to reduce child morbidity and mortality rates, an NGO, Sightsavers Nigeria says it has planned to reach out to 3.3 million children with Azithromycin drugs in Sokoto and Kano states.
Dr Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, the Country Coordinator, Trachoma Sightsavers, disclosed this at the launching of Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin (SARMAAN) 2 Project on Saturday in Sokoto.
Wamyil-Mshelia said children within one to 59 months were being targeted, adding that the SARMAAN 2 Project was initiated following the success achieved in SARMAAN 1 project.
She noted that during SARMAAN 1 Project, no fewer than 1.3 million infants within that age bracket were administered with drug in 52 local government areas in the six implementing project states of the federation.
“In Sokoto, SARMAAN 2 Project targets 956, 322 children and the project will be implemented in the 23 local government areas of the state.
“During the concluded SARMAAN 1 project in Sokoto state, 39,818 children were targeted, while 41,166 have been reach out to.
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“We leverage on polio immunisation platform to achieve success in Sokoto State. Azithromycin is an effective antibiotic drug safeguarding children from all forms of diseases and boosting their body immunity,” she said.
She explained that mortality in children below five years remains a global challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries, while Nigeria was among the major contributors to under-five mortality.
“More effort through cost-effective evidence-based intervention is necessary to address under-five mortality rate and fast track the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) before year 2030,” she said.
According to her, the project is implemented in collaboration with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA).
Others were the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), eHealth Africa, Solina Center for International Development and Research (SCIDAR) and Sokoto State Ministry of Health.
In her address, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, reiterated the state government’s commitment towards continuing partnership with all stakeholders to eradicate poliovirus and other infectious diseases posing threats to the lives of people, especially young children.
Balarabe called on all stakeholders including Ulama (Islamic Clerics) and traditional leaders to redouble efforts towards ensuring zero polio and facilitate success in all forms of vaccination exercise in the state.
The Executive Secretary, SSPHCDA, Dr Larai Tambuwal, frowned at high prevalence of unvaccinated children due to lack of interest by some parents coupled with insecurity and other behavioural challenges.
Tambuwal said Nigeria was given certificate as “Polio Free Country” in 2020, “but now, there are still challenges of another version of the variant posing threat to the lives of children.”
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She said the implementing partners deployed Identify, Enumerate and Vaccinate (IEV) model to achieve the desired success.
From Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation (BMGF), Mr Stanley Mathew appreciated the efforts of Sokoto State Government in its determination to achieve success in health-related programmes.
In their separate responses, representatives of development partners including WHO, UNICEF, CDC AFNET and SOLINA commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, for releasing the counterpart fund, which clearly showed commitment towards achieving the desired success.
The leader of Islamic Scholars, Sheikh Usman Dahiru, presented a paper on Islamic Standpoint on Vaccination/Immunisation.
The event, which was interactive in nature, featured questions and answers on health and environmental issues.
NAN
