Gombe:Over 734,272 children in Gombe State have benefited from the Federal Government’s Azithromycin campaign aimed at reducing child mortality.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Danlami Isma’il, the Gombe State Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), discussed the progress of the campaign while reviewing the exercise in Gombe. The campaign, part of the SARMAAN II Project and REACH Nigeria network, targets children aged 1 to 59 months to combat diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, and sepsis, which are major causes of under-five mortality.
The initiative has conducted 19 rounds of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) nationwide, reaching over 13 million children and distributing more than 5.7 million bottles of Azithromycin since 2024. In Gombe, the campaign saw its coverage increase from 81% in the first round to 95% in the second round, targeting approximately 905,985 children at six-month intervals.
The first round in Gombe took place in November 2025, the second in May 2026, and the third is scheduled for October 8 to 11. Improved community mobilization has been credited for the rise in participation, and the campaign is supported by organizations like the Malaria Consortium and Solina.
An assessment indicated that illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea were more prevalent among families whose children did not receive the drug. The findings emphasize the need to expand coverage to ensure all eligible children are reached.
To address challenges in reaching remote areas, the agency has utilized various means of transportation to ensure comprehensive coverage. There have been no reports of resistance to Azithromycin within the program.
Dr. Isma’il plans to intensify community sensitization efforts to encourage parental cooperation in the upcoming rounds, stressing the importance of community participation in improving coverage and reaching targeted children.