By Our Correspondent
The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs has pledged to embark on an extensive public enlightenment campaign to ensure the success of the forthcoming distribution of free Azithromycin Oral Suspension to children across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, made the commitment while receiving a delegation from the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Management Board and development partners during an advocacy visit to the ministry.
Represented by the Director of Special Assignments, Hajiya Halima Ahmad Ishaq, the commissioner said the ministry would deploy its various communication platforms, including radio, television and social media, to sensitize residents on the importance of the exercise.
He added that Information Officers in all local government areas would be mobilised to take the campaign to the grassroots and encourage communities to participate actively in the programme.
Waiya commended the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritising child health and supporting interventions aimed at reducing childhood illnesses and mortality.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Advocacy, Communication and Community Engagement, Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo, who led the delegation, said the programme was now in its third round and would provide free Azithromycin Oral Suspension to children between the ages of one and 59 months.
According to him, the medicine helps protect children against serious illnesses, including diarrhoea, pneumonia and skin infections.
He assured parents and caregivers that the drug is safe, effective and will be administered free of charge by the government.
Dr Gwarzo further disclosed that trained health workers would conduct a six-day house-to-house exercise in 36 selected local government areas to administer the medication to eligible children.
He urged parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers to ensure that all eligible children benefit from the intervention.
