Nigeria, June 4 -- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research(NIMR) has conducted a mass drug administration of Azithromycin to "over four million children" in the country, as part of a major study aimed at tackling child mortality.

The study, known as Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Nigeria (SARMAAN), targets children aged one to 11 months in communities with high infant mortality rates.

Presenting findings from the project on Tuesday during a media briefing, the NIMR's Director of Research and principal investigator for the SARMAAN project, Oliver Ezechi, said the first phase (SARMAAN I) was conducted across six states: Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Abia, and Akwa Ibom.

Mr Ezechi, a consul...