By Chioma Obinna

As the world marks World Health Day 2026, the SARMAAN Project has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing child survival in Nigeria, announcing it has reached 15.76 million unique children across the country.

The milestone comes as stakeholders worldwide reflect on the importance of strengthening health systems and ensuring equitable access to life-saving interventions, in line with the broader objectives of World Health Day.

According to the project, between 2024 and 2026, over 26 million doses of Azithromycin were administered to children aged one to 59 months across ten northern states, targeting preventable childhood illnesses and deaths.

In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 7,215,455 children were reached through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kaduna states.

The project described the figures as more than statistics, noting that they represent millions of children given a stronger chance at survival.

Highlighting the significance of the milestone, the Principal Investigator of the SARMAAN Project and Director of Research at the Clinical Sciences Department of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, said the initiative reflects the core message of World Health Day.

“World Health Day reminds us that health is a shared responsibility and a fundamental right. At SARMAAN, our work reflects this principle, ensuring that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to life-saving interventions.

“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. Each number represents a child protected, a family supported, and a step closer to reducing preventable child deaths,” he said.

Ezechi added that the project goes beyond implementation, focusing on building trust, strengthening systems, and empowering communities.

“However, our focus goes beyond delivery. We are committed to building trust, strengthening systems, and driving conversations that empower communities to take charge of their health. That is how lasting impact is achieved,” he added.

Also speaking, Project Lead of the SARMAAN Advocacy Team, Ikechukwu Ofuani, stressed the importance of sustainability and national ownership.

“While the progress recorded through the SARMAAN Project is significant, it is critical that we begin to intentionally chart a path toward sustainability. This means supporting the Government of Nigeria to progressively take ownership of the initiative by integrating it into national health priorities, funding frameworks, and implementation structures.

“True impact is not only measured by what we achieve today, but by what can be sustained tomorrow. 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.

The SARMAAN Project noted that its approach integrates community engagement, stakeholder dialogue, and communication for development, ensuring that interventions are understood, accepted, and sustained at the grassroots level.

It added that its success has been driven by strong collaboration among donors, implementing partners, researchers, and government ministries, departments, and agencies.

As conversations around health equity, resilience, and access take centre stage, the project said its impact reinforces the need for scale, strategy, collaboration, and community ownership in achieving sustainable progress in child survival.

The SARMAAN Project is part of the REACH Network, Resiliency through Azithromycin in Children, and is designed as an evidence-based programme aimed at reducing under-five mortality in high-burden states through a government-led, multi-partner approach.