Some women in Bauchi State say the introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) during antenatal care has been life-saving, improving their wellbeing and helping to reduce maternal mortality and pregnancy-related risks across communities.
The women spoke with journalists on Monday during a field visit organized by UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, which led reporters to various communities to observe acceptance of the supplements and gather firsthand testimonies from pregnant women benefiting from the intervention.
They said taking the supplements had reduced fatigue, weakness and pregnancy-related illnesses, enabling them to feel healthier, stronger and more confident as they progressed through pregnancy and prepared for safe delivery.
Maryam Musa, a 26-year-old in her ninth month of pregnancy, said she was initially reluctant to take the supplement because of its size and colour but later realized its significant health benefits.
She said this was her first pregnancy and that MMS had been effective, explaining that before using it she frequently fell ill, but after she began taking the supplement, her health stabilized and discomfort reduced drastically.
Maryam added that she now felt strong enough to handle her household chores and encouraged all pregnant women to register for antenatal care because it benefited both their health and the wellbeing of their babies.
She also appealed to women who collect money from their husbands under the pretence that the supplements are sold to stop the practice, stressing that their wellbeing and their babies’ health should remain their priority.
Another beneficiary, Khadija Mai-Auduga, a first-time pregnant woman living with a disability, said through an interpreter that taking MMS twice daily had kept her healthy. She added that her husband had been supportive and encouraged consistent antenatal attendance.
A mother of six, Aisha Usman, said she began taking the supplement only during her last pregnancy and noticed a remarkable difference in her health and the condition of the baby she delivered.
She said the baby delivered after using MMS looked healthier than her previous children. She urged all pregnant women to take the supplement consistently because of its importance to maternal health and fetal development.
Aisha added that her previous pregnancy ended in a stillbirth because she took no supplements, but the recent delivery came without complications, which she attributed to consistent MMS use throughout pregnancy.
Facility head, Auwa Adamu, of Kofar Ran Primary Healthcare Centre, said women without anaemia received MMS only, while those with mild or moderate anaemia received MMS plus folic acid, with severe cases referred for further care.
She noted that the supplement’s impact had been impressive, explaining that mothers appeared healthier, and babies delivered at the centre had shown improved health outcomes, reflecting the effectiveness of MMS in antenatal care.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, said MMS contained essential vitamins and minerals that provided pregnant women with strength, energy and nutrients needed to prevent anaemia and maternal deaths.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Philomena Irene, said 134,280 MMS bottles had been supplied to Bauchi State through UNICEF with support from the Kirk and Gates Foundations, which also trained health workers and community volunteers.
She added that UNICEF would continue to support Bauchi State to integrate MMS into routine antenatal care, strengthen counseling services, improve side-effect management and enhance adherence among pregnant women through continuous training for frontline health workers.
