By Adamu Yusuf
The Kano State Government, in collaboration with international health partner Sightsavers, has intensified efforts to reduce child mortality through the implementation of the SARMAAN II Project across the state.
The intervention targets more than 2.95 million children under the age of five through the house-to-house distribution of the life-saving antibiotic, Azithromycin, to prevent common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhoea.
At the centre of the campaign are trained community drug distributors who undergo intensive preparation before deployment.
In addition to administering the medicine, they engage directly with parents, address their concerns, and work to ensure that every eligible child receives the treatment.
One of the community drug distributors says the campaign is not only about administering medicine but also about building trust within communities and safeguarding the future of children by ensuring that no eligible child is left behind.
The third round of the intervention is being implemented by Sightsavers in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and the Malaria Consortium, with funding support from the Gates Foundation.
Project officials say the initiative is designed to strengthen local health systems by building community-based capacity that will sustain the programme’s impact beyond donor support.
They add that the campaign is leveraging existing polio eradication structures and working closely with traditional leaders to counter misinformation, improve community acceptance, and expand access to life-saving healthcare services for children.
The SARMAAN II Project is one of several coordinated interventions aimed at improving child survival and advancing public health outcomes across Northern Nigeria.
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