By Rabiu Sanusi
The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs has pledged a comprehensive public awareness campaign to support the distribution of free Azithromycin Oral Suspension to children across the state, as part of efforts to protect young ones from preventable childhood illnesses.
The ministry made the commitment during an advocacy visit by officials from the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Management Board, and development partners.
In a statement signed and made available to journalists by the Director of Special Duties of the ministry, Malam Sani Abba Yola, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the ministry would work closely with health authorities to ensure that residents are properly informed about the importance of the intervention.
Represented by the Director of Special Assignments, Hajiya Halima Ahmad Ishaq, the Commissioner said the ministry would utilize its communication platforms, including radio, television and social media, to create awareness and encourage parents and caregivers to participate in the programme.
He added that Information Officers across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state would be mobilized to take the message to communities and ensure effective grassroots sensitization.
Comrade Waiya commended the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for its commitment to improving healthcare delivery and prioritizing initiatives aimed at reducing childhood illnesses and mortality.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Advocacy, Communication and Community Engagement, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, who led the delegation, explained that the exercise was the third round of the programme and would provide free Azithromycin Oral Suspension to children aged between one and 59 months.
According to him, the medication plays a vital role in protecting children against serious health conditions, including diarrhoea, pneumonia and skin infections.
Dr. Gwarzo assured parents and caregivers that the medicine is safe, effective and provided at no cost, urging them to support the exercise.
He further disclosed that the six-day intervention would involve trained health workers visiting homes across 36 selected Local Government Areas in Kano State to administer the medicine to eligible children.
