The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with Sightsavers, has administered the antibiotic azithromycin to 1.1 million children as part of efforts to reduce child mortality.
State Health Educator Mr. Sabi’u Gandi announced this at a media roundtable organized by Sightsavers on Thursday in Sokoto, where stakeholders reviewed child health interventions.
Gandi explained that the treatment was part of the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin on Children in Nigeria (SARMAAN) project, aimed at improving child survival.
He noted that children were treated during the fifth round of azithromycin administration from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, 2025, across Sokoto. The state achieved over 90% coverage during this exercise, and Gandi expressed optimism that this progress would be maintained through future efforts.
During the exercise, 2,277 teams visited 9,885 settlements, covering 312,479 households across 213 political wards. Gandi stated that a higher percentage of eligible children would be targeted in the sixth round scheduled for Oct. 15 to Oct. 20.
He also mentioned that 87 district heads were mobilized to support azithromycin distribution and boost community participation in child health interventions.
Gandi urged journalists to support the program by increasing public awareness and ongoing education on the importance of azithromycin in promoting healthy childhood development.
He described the successful administration of azithromycin as a milestone toward improving child survival and life expectancy in Sokoto.
Speaking, Programme Officer Mr. Muhammad Ladan emphasized that azithromycin is a vital antibiotic used to treat various childhood illnesses and reduce child deaths.
Ladan highlighted that the SARMAAN project aligns with global efforts to enhance child survival in low- and middle-income countries through biannual azithromycin distribution. He noted that this preventive approach could significantly lower early childhood mortality, especially among vulnerable children.
Stakeholders continue to monitor azithromycin’s safety and effectiveness while assessing measures to reduce antimicrobial resistance among treated children.
Ladan also highlighted Sightsavers’ presence in Sokoto since 1996, initially with eye-care services before establishing and equipping 19 healthcare centers. These centers have provided consistent, community-based eye-care support and improved access to essential services for underserved populations.
He added that these interventions have trained more doctors, nurses, community health workers, and auxiliary staff, strengthening healthcare delivery capacity.
Finally, it was noted that azithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, stopping bacterial growth and treating infections. Its preventive use in specific settings is part of strategies to improve child survival.
