Infant Mortality Declines as 36,000 Receive Azithromycin in Akwa Ibom

In a bold move to combat high infant and infant mortality rates in Akwa Ibom State, the Sarmaan Project (SP) a non-governmental organisation committed to child health has administered azithromycin to over 36,000 children as part of a strategic intervention aimed at improving child survival rates.

The intervention, which is in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Government, focuses on reducing deaths caused by preventable childhood diseases. The project’s pilot phase, which took place in Ikono Local Government Area, targeted children between 1–11 months and emphasized both the safety and antimicrobial resistance of azithromycin during administration.

Dr. Teyil Wamiyel-Mshella, Project Coordinator for Sightsavers, an international agency supporting the initiative shared insights during the close-out ceremony of the project titled “Safety and Anti-microbial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin to Children aged 1–11 Months” held in Uyo.

“Sarmaan Project was introduced in Nigeria in 2020, and since then, it has made commendable strides. Our objective was to administer azithromycin under strict supervision to monitor its safety and potential for antimicrobial resistance. This antibiotic has proven effective in treating various childhood infections that contribute to infant deaths, especially among children under five,” she explained.

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Wamiyel-Mshella added that caregivers were also actively engaged to ensure proper understanding of the drug’s benefits and usage, further reinforcing community trust and acceptance.

Representing the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Etop Antia, commended all partners for their collective efforts in making the pilot project a success.

Similarly, Dr. Eno Attah, Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Health for selecting Akwa Ibom as a beneficiary of the pilot program, describing it as a timely and impactful intervention in the state’s child healthcare landscape.