The SARMAAN Project (Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Nigeria) says it has reached over 15.76 million children across northern Nigeria with life-saving interventions, as stakeholders mark World Health Day 2026.
The project described the milestone as a major step toward reducing preventable deaths among children under five.
The intervention, which targets children aged one to 59 months, delivered more than 26 million doses of Azithromycin between 2024 and 2026 across ten states.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 7.2 million children were reached in Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kaduna states through Mass Drug Administration (MDA).
The Principal Investigator, SARMAAN Project and Director of Research at the Clinical Sciences Department of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Oliver Ezechi, says “the figures reflect both scale and urgency in tackling child mortality.”
He said, “These are not just numbers; they represent millions of young lives given a stronger chance at survival.”
According to him, “Reaching over 15 million unique children since 2024 and more than seven million in just the first quarter of 2026 demonstrates what is possible when global priorities meet local action.”
Prof. Ezechi noted that beyond drug distribution, the project focuses on building trust and strengthening health systems at the community level.
“Our work ensures that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to life-saving interventions,” he said, stressing that lasting impact depends on community ownership and engagement.
Also speaking, Project Lead of the SARMAAN Advocacy Team, Ikechukwu Ofuani, called for a shift from donor-driven efforts to government-led sustainability.
“While the progress recorded is significant, it is critical that we begin to intentionally chart a path toward sustainability.
The future of child survival interventions must be locally driven, government-led, and system-embedded to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.
As global attention turns to health equity and access on World Health Day, the project said its approach highlights the importance of scale, strategy, and collaboration in improving child survival outcomes in Nigeria.
