In this piece, our Assistant Editor, Joyce Remi-Babayeju writes on the urgent need for State governments to sustain multiple supplements, MMS, funding for the prevention of anemia in pregnant women and adolescent girls in Nigeria
It has been tested and trusted that the use of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements MMS intervention in Nigeria has ineed helped in the Prevention of anaemia in pregnant women and adolescent girls , as well as reducting newborn mortality.
A beneficiary of the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements ( MMS) intervention, Mrs. Augustina James, a mother of one who resides at Dutse Makaranta in Abuja , testified to the efficacy of MMS intervention on her health outcomes during her child delivery.
Mrs. James is one out of the 55% of pregnant women saved from the menace of Anaemia through the use of MMS intervention during her pregnancy.
Speaking with Daybreak at a recent “CS SUNN Media Roundtable Meeting” in Abuja,on Anaemia Prevention in Pregnant Women in Nigeria, James strongly attested to the wonder working power of MMS during and after the delivery of her daughter.
The 45 year old mother recounted , ” “At Dutse Makaranta Primary Healthcare Centre, MMS was introduced into my routine antenatal drugs by the nurses, at first I refused to take the supplements because I had lost my first baby after delivery. But after much persuasion and education on the health benefits of the supplement for both mother and child, I started taking the supplement as part of my everyday drugs.”
“I took the micronutrient supplement throughout my pregnancy; I felt very healthy, and when I gave birth, the baby cried very well and loudly . I was asked which medication I was taking during my pregnancy, and I said micronutrient supplements, MMS.
” MMS did actually work for me, so I advise every pregnant woman to walk into any health facility where they are giving MMS to access and start using it because it is very beneficial,” James beckoned other pregnant women to copy.
Meanwhile, in a recent report sighted CS SUNN, 58% of women of reporductive age suffer Anaemia, while 55% of adolescent girls and women suffer from anaemia.
Millions of women and adolescent girls suffer from severe micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria due to poor nutrition and other related factors.
Executive Secretary, CS-SUNN, Sunday Okoronkwo at the “Media Roundtable on Anemia Prevention, Other Nutrition Related National Issues in Nigeria”, held in Abuja, alerted both the federal and state governments on the urgent need to take up responsibility of funding MMS to ensure a sustained supply and use of the micronutrient supplement in Nigeria by pregnant women and adolescent girls from the sourge of anaemic while preventing deaths in newborns.
“MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring significant improvement in birth outcomes,” CS-SUNN says.
“Research indicates that daily MMS intake during pregnancy can prevent anemia, promote healthy pregnancy outcomes, and reduce the likelihood of low birth weights.”
This powerful, preventive intervention has a high potential for impact in Nigeria, Okonkwo said.
While further addressing the urgent need to face headlong Anaemia and malnutrition in women of reproductive and the challenge of
of maternal and child malnutrition in Nigeria, the CS-SUNN boss noted that anemia though preventable is a widespread contributor to maternal and child mortality.
CS SUNN made a clarion call on governments at states and national levels to accelerate MMS funding in Nigeria, particularly now that stakeholders are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s to stop counterpart funding of MMS to Nigeria.
“We urge governments, especially at the national and state levels, to leverage the Child Nutrition Fund for the procurement of MMS for pregnant women.”
“It is important for state governments to strengthen the integration of MMS into antenatal care protocols in health facilities, ensuring that every pregnant woman receives comprehensive micronutrient support,” CS SUNN Executive Secretary emphasized.
The use of multiple micronutrient supplements( MMS , in Nigeria is a WHO nutritional recommendation and guideline, which the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved for use during pregnancy through its updated National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria.
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, Fact Sheet (March 2024), one billion women lack access to adequate nutrition and balanced diets—essential for survival and growth through every stage of life globally.
“Two out of every three women of reproductive age suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, severely impacting maternal and child health outcomes, WHO reports.
FHI 360 Alive and Thrive Technical Advisor, Toyin Adebayo Gabriel, underscord the urgent need to reduce high incidences of anaemia in Nigeria via sustained investments, particularly in adolescent girls who are future mothers. Anemia affects not only their health but also the health of their children.
State nutrition officer FCT, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwueme, stated that the
Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that every eligible mother in the nation’s capital city has access to MMS, adding, that the implementation of MMS is a top priority and that the administration is taking a comprehensive approach to achieve this goal.
In a presentation on the Overview of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria and MMS Uptakes in Nigeria, Dr. Maria Odey from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said that improving healthcare services and providing essential nutrition interventions can help address malnutrition in the population.
“Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children globally, with approximately 14 million children under five years of age stunted and 13 million wasted.”
According to her, investing in nutrition programs and policies is key to helping reduce the burden of malnutrition and promote healthy development.
Malnutrition is a significant concern in Nigeria, with alarming statistics that highlight the country’s struggle to address this issue.
“The consequences of malnutrition are far-reaching, including impaired brain development—lower IQ and lower productivity and increased mortality rate. 45% of deaths in. Children U5; economic burden such as increase in healthcare costs; reduces productivity and economic growth.”
However, Dr. Odey stated ,” “Investing in MMS can also lead to cost savings eventually by reducing the need for more expensive medical interventions.”
United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Nutrition Manager, Dr. Prosper Dakura disclosed that the Nigerian government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has allocated $20 million for MMS procurement and distribution across all states.
“For every percentage point increase in coverage above 28%, states will receive $45,000.”
According to the UNICEF Nutrition Manager, with 3 million bottles of MMS distributed, states are expected to achieve around a 5 percentage point increase in coverage, resulting in significant funding.
“States must demonstrate effective distribution of MMS, with reimbursement based on a disbursement net indicator.”
However, Dakura commended Nigeria for stepping up MMS coverage to 60% in the next 2- 3 years, to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
“Currently, in Nigeria, MMS coverage stands at 10-40%, and achieving over 60% coverage is expected to yield visible improvements in the health of children and the population, he emphasized.
And the good news, he said, “Efforts are underway to enhance local manufacturing capacity, reducing dependence on imported products and improving supply chain reliability.
At this point Nigeria needs to step up its game on tackling anemia, a byproduct of malnutrition in pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children, through sustainable funding of micronutrient supplements.
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