Adamawa Launches Second Round of Child Health Campaign, Receives 3,000 Azithromycin Doses

Adamawa Launches Second Round of Child Health Campaign, Receives 3,000 Azithromycin Doses

The Adamawa State Government has received 3,000 bottles of Azithromycin as it begins the second phase of a mass drug administration campaign targeting children aged 0 to 59 months.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Chief Felix Tangwami, made this known during the official flag-off of the exercise, held in partnership with Malaria Consortium at Atiku Abubakar Primary Healthcare Centre in Yola North Local Government Area.

Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Zirra Bubanani, Tangwami described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at reducing the prevalence of common childhood infections, improving child survival rates, and advancing universal health coverage in the state.

He emphasized that Azithromycin is a safe and effective medication with proven impact in combating infections among children, adding that the programme aligns with broader efforts to lower under-five mortality rates.

The Commissioner called on parents, caregivers, as well as religious and traditional leaders, to support the campaign by ensuring eligible children are presented for the exercise.

In his remarks, the Country Director of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Maxwell Kolawole, said the initiative reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding children’s health. He noted that the World Health Organization recommends the use of Azithromycin—also certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control—for reducing deaths associated with malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Yola North Primary Health Care Development Agency, Asma’u Kona, assured that adequate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth implementation of the programme.

The State Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Lucky Daniel, expressed appreciation to development partners and the state government for their continued support, stressing the need for collective action to achieve the programme’s objectives. He reiterated that the medication is safe and will be administered free of charge.

At a media briefing held earlier at the Specialist Hospital, the Programme Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Serah Simon, disclosed that the exercise will run from April 23 to April 26 and is open to all eligible children at no cost.

She further revealed that the first phase of the campaign, implemented under the SARMAAN II project, recorded a 95 percent success rate, with minor setbacks linked to network challenges during digital data collection.

The event featured the administration of Azithromycin to eligible children, marking the official commencement of the second round of the campaign.