Civil society scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria, UNICEF, Alive & Thrive and Nutritional International are at forefront in advocating for the adoption and scaling up of Multiple Micro nutrients supplements in the country.
In a press statement made known by the Executive Director CS- SUNN Sunday Okoronkwo who was represented by the steering committee co- chair Aji Robinson said that CS- SUNN is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes through MMS interventions.
These collaborations has allowed cs – SUNN to support the federal government in policy reviews and advocacy efforts to integrate MMs into standard ante natal care protocols to prioritize MMS in national and state health policies.
Read also:Technoserve: partners with media to combat malnutrition
They urge Kano state government to take a bold action through strategic investment in MMs to drastically reduce anaemia rates, improve pregnancy outcomes and give the next generation in Kano state a healthier start in life.
The executive Secretary urge kano state government through the child nutrition fund to harness a unique co- financing mechanism to double it’s investments in nutrition commodities like MMS and other interventions.
Representative of the executive Secretary call on kano state government to leverage on the child nutrition fund to procure MMs to prevent stock outs in other to ensure supplies are consistently available both in rural and urban health care facilities so as to make it accessible to all pregnant women in the state.
Read also:Food Security: 40,000 women equipped with smart agric practices
And to equip health care providers with the necessary training to effectively deliver MMs as well educate mothers on the importance of the intervention.
It will be recall that in 2021, the federal ministry of health and social welfare approved the use of multiple micro nutrients supplements during pregnancy through its updated national guidelines for the prevention and control of micronutrients deficiencies in Nigeria.
Multiple Micro nutrients supplements (mms) contains fifteen essential vitamins and minerals ensuring significant birth outcomes.
As research indicates that daily MMS in take during pregnancy can prevent anaemia, promote healthy pregnancy outcomes and reduce the likelihood of low birth weights.
Malnutrition poses a persistent and escalating threat to the well being of women and children world wide.
“According to world health organization 2024 fact sheet, one billion women lack access to adequate nutrition and balanced diets essential for the survival and growth through every stage of life she said”.
Two out of every three women of reproductive age suffer from micronutrients deficiencies severally impacting the lives of pregnant mothers and children.
A recent health survey from 2023- 2024 Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS) reveal an increase in malnutrition in the country when compared to data from five years ago.
The survey showed that four out of every ten children under five are stunted compared to last year survey while six out of ten women of reproductive age suffers from anemia, as kano state takes the highest burden of this challenge with a pronounced rate of malnutrition among children.
The media round table ended with a panel of discussion on MMS as a solution for anaemia prevention and control.
