Sightsavers mobilises 87 district Heads for Azithromycin drive in Sokoto
Sightsavers, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, mobilised 87 District Heads to support administering azithromycin to children, strengthening community participation in statewide child-health intervention efforts.
The Newsmen reports that the programme operates under the SARMAAN project, formally titled Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin Among Children, designed to improve child survival outcomes through preventive treatment.
Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, thereby stopping bacterial growth, making it effective for tackling infections contributing to high childhood morbidity and mortality in vulnerable communities.
The antibiotic is commonly used to treat respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and various childhood illnesses. Its administration aligns with the World Health Organisation’s 2022 guidelines for targeted preventive treatment among at-risk populations.
Speaking at the engagement meeting in Sokoto, Sightsavers State Programme Officer Muhammad Ladan, said SARMAAN was a government-led research initiative originating from unexpected findings that highlighted wider benefits of azithromycin distribution.
Representing Country Director Joy Shu’aibu, Ladan explained that the programme targeted children aged zero to 59 months using azithromycin, particularly in communities battling Neglected Tropical Diseases like onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis causing significant mortality.
He emphasised the crucial roles of traditional rulers, acknowledging their longstanding commitments and contributions to previous health campaigns, which significantly improved participation and helped achieve measurable community-based health successes.
Ladan noted that participating District Heads were expected to step down discussions, sharing knowledge with lower-level traditional rulers across their communities to strengthen awareness and ensure widespread programme coordination.
He reiterated that Sokoto remained among states with high child mortality, stressing the NGO’s commitment through SARMAAN to reduce deaths by expanding preventive drug administration and ensuring improved community health outcomes.
Ladan confirmed that children in 20 local government areas had already benefited from azithromycin treatment, describing the programme as a significant milestone toward improving overall life expectancy within the state.
According to him, round three recorded more than 90 per cent coverage, raising hopes for sustaining the progress while monitoring azithromycin’s safety and effectiveness in reducing antimicrobial resistance among treated children.
He highlighted Sightsavers’ presence in Sokoto since 1996, beginning with eye-care services that eventually led to establishing and equipping 19 healthcare centres providing consistent, community-based eye-care support.
Through the interventions, more doctors, nurses, community health workers and auxiliary staff received specialised eye-care training, significantly strengthening the state’s capacity to deliver essential services to underserved populations.
Ladan added that Sightsavers introduced an inclusive education system enabling blind students to learn alongside sighted peers, resulting in several visually impaired learners progressing to higher educational levels.
Sultan of Sokoto, represented by Wurno District Head Alhaji Kabiru Cigari, assured continued support for programme implementation and immunisation coverage, reaffirming traditional institutions’ commitment to improving citizens’ health.
He urged participants to take the programme seriously and intensify their contributions toward enhancing community health, emphasising that improved well-being required consistent cooperation between leaders and households.
SSPHCDA Advocacy Director Alhaji Kamaru Gada said the state government distributed motorcycles to rural immunisation officers and provided refrigerators to strengthen the cold chain and enhance vaccination efficiency.
Gada hailed the project’s success, noting that azithromycin remained a vital antibiotic for treating childhood ailments, playing a significant role in reducing deaths and improving survival among vulnerable children.
He described support from Sightsavers and other partners as highly complementary to government healthcare efforts, assuring strengthened collaboration to achieve lasting and impactful health outcomes statewide.
The meeting ended with discussions on challenges, community-based solutions, and attitudes of government officials and health workers toward immunisation campaigns, aiming to improve delivery and public participation effectively.
