Yola:The Malaria Consortium has announced its target of reaching at least 1.43 million children aged one to 59 months in Adamawa for the third round of mass Azithromycin distribution.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Serah Simon, the State Project Manager of the consortium, revealed this information during a media briefing in Yola. The event was organized in partnership with the Adamawa Government and other stakeholders. The distribution exercise is part of the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Azithromycin in Children (SARMAAN2) project, which aims to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths linked to malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
The exercise is scheduled to take place from October 15 to October 18 across the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa. Simon emphasized the importance of effective communication to ensure that all eligible children are reached, thanking the media for their past support in raising awareness and informing communities.
Dr. Lucky Daniel, the State Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases, noted that trained Community Distributors would implement a door-to-door strategy to administer the drug. The initiative will involve more than 9,000 ad-hoc personnel and cover 768 health facilities and communities.
Mr. Sunday Naina, a representative from the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, stated that the program aims for over 90 percent coverage. Community structures in the state’s 226 wards have been reinforced to address any challenges, such as refusals, with community leaders and local authorities prepared to assist as needed.