The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of an additional three million bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) to tackle micronutrient deficiency and improve Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Nigeria.
MMS, a daily dose of 15 essential vitamins and minerals including iron and folic acid, contributes to healthier pregnancies, better birth outcomes, and reduced maternal and infant mortality.
This initiative is based on the 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation on antenatal care for positive pregnancy experiences.
The Director of the Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, said on Thursday that the intervention would enhance MNCH services at a three-day collaborative meeting in Abuja.
The meeting, attended by FMoHSW, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and state Nutrition Managers, aimed to address nutrition needs and reduce micronutrient deficiency.
The Nutrition Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms Nkeiruka Enwelum, emphasised that MMS was the standard of care to prevent low birth weight, anaemia, and stillbirths.
The meeting informed nutrition managers about the government’s plans to scale up MMS and encouraged states to adopt and integrate this initiative into MNCH weeks.
The Country Director at Nutrition International, Dr Osita Okonkwo, noted that improving intervention coverage would enhance nutrition and health status.
“These interventions include vitamin A, supplementation, deworming, Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) and MMS for pregnant mothers.
“This will improve the MNCH services, the coverage and the nutritional status of women and children in Nigeria,” he said.
State Nutrition Officers, including Mrs Rasheedat Popoola and Etienne Obidaa, commended the government’s efforts and reiterated their commitment to implement MMS interventions, particularly during upcoming MNCH campaigns aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
By Justina Auta
