By Justina Auta
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.
Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of the Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), at a three-day collaborative meeting in Abuja on Thursday, said that the intervention would enhance MNCH services.
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.
Ms Nkeiruka Enwelum, Nutrition Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 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.
Dr Osita Okonkwo, Country Director at Nutrition International, noted that improving intervention coverage would enhance nutrition and health status.
“These interventions include the vitamin A, supplementation, deworming, Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) and MMS for pregnant mothers.
“This will definitely improve the MNCH services, improve the coverage and improve 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.(NAN)
