Bauchi Flags Off Azithromycin Drug Distribution To Tackle Under-5 Mortality

Bauchi State government through the State Primary Healthcare Development Board in collaboration with Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH) has flagged off the mass administration of Azithromycin (MDA-AZM) to children under five across the state.

The campaign aims to prevent several Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in children, including diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections, trachoma, and malaria.

Speaking at yesterday’s flag-off ceremony at the Conference Hall of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board headquarters, the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, described the initiative as a “significant milestone” in reducing under-five mortality in the state.

“This initiative aligns with my husband’s vision to prioritise the health and well-being of women and children,” she said.

Aisha further revealed that the state government has fulfilled all its counterpart funding obligations, including the PHC Memorandum of Understanding, the child nutrition matching grant, and the family planning basket fund.

She noted that the administration’s continued investment in health and education is central to improving the state’s human capital development.

She assured that Azithromycin, valued at millions of naira, would be distributed free of charge to all eligible children. The drug has already been used in Bauchi to treat pneumonia and similar infections and is considered safe and effective.

The First Lady also announced her support for young women’s education, offering 50 scholarships to girls pursuing BSc Nursing and related courses at her Almuhibba University.

“As an advocate for women and children, I pledge to continue implementing life-changing programmes through my foundation, the Almuhibba Foundation,” she added.

She extended appreciation to MITOSATH, NIMR, Solina, eHealth Africa, the Gates Foundation, and other development partners for their unwavering support.

For his part, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving public health, assuring that the drug has been tested elsewhere and proven to be effective and safe.

Dr. Dambam also revealed that motorcycles have been procured for all 20 local government areas to ease the mobility of health workers during the distribution exercise.

On behalf of MITOSATH, Executive Director Dr. Francisca Olamiju praised the Bauchi State Government for trusting the organisation to contribute to its healthcare initiatives.

She confirmed the drug’s safety and efficacy, noting its successful use in several parts of the country.

Dr. Olamiju also mentioned that more than 100 men were recently treated for NTDs in Alkaleri LGA, with similar interventions carried out in Ganjuwa.