Bauchi First Lady Flags Off Mass Distribution of Azithromycin to Curb Under-Five Mortality

By Zainab Faruk

The First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has flagged off the mass administration of Azithromycin to children aged 1 to 59 months, as part of efforts to reduce under-five mortality rates across the state.

The launch ceremony, held in Bauchi on Monday, marks the official commencement of the Azithromycin distribution under the SARMAAN II Project. The exercise is being implemented by the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) in collaboration with Mitosath and other development partners.

In her remarks, the First Lady described the initiative as a significant step towards addressing the high burden of childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, trachoma, and other respiratory infections. She emphasized the commitment of the Bauchi State Government to prioritizing the health and well-being of women and children, adding that counterpart funds for key health programmes — including child nutrition, family planning, and primary healthcare services — have been fully paid.

“As the wife of the Governor and founder of the Almuhibba Foundation, I am personally committed to supporting life-changing health interventions,” Hajiya Aisha said. She also revealed that her foundation has awarded 50 scholarships to girls studying nursing and related health courses at Almuhibba University, as part of efforts to build the state’s health workforce.

She commended Mitosath, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Solina, eHealth Africa, and the Gates Foundation for their contributions to strengthening the state’s health system. She urged local government chairmen, their spouses, traditional and religious leaders to mobilize parents and guardians to ensure that all eligible children receive the medication.

Assuring the public of the safety and efficacy of Azithromycin, she called on residents to support the house-to-house distribution teams.

Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, explained that Azithromycin is an antibiotic effective in protecting children against common life-threatening illnesses. He reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to work with donor agencies to deliver accessible and quality healthcare services throughout the state.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the BSPHCDA, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said the distribution will be carried out using a house-to-house approach and is expected to last for five days. He expressed confidence that the intervention will make a lasting impact on child survival rates in Bauchi.

Representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Gates Foundation, and Mitosath delivered goodwill messages and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Bauchi State in achieving its healthcare goals.

The mass distribution of Azithromycin aligns with ongoing national and global efforts to reduce child mortality and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.