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The Nigerian government is committed to promoting a lifesaving initiative that aims to improve maternal health outcomes, according to Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Pate announced that the government has adopted the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) during pregnancy, based on the 2020 recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. The inclusion of MMS in the “National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrients Deficiencies Control in Nigeria” is intended to improve pregnancy outcomes compared to Iron Folic Acid (IFAs) supplementation.
Pate stressed the need to scale up programs that deliver MMS to vulnerable mothers and emphasized the importance of efficient supply chain systems and building awareness of the health benefits of MMS among mothers, communities, and healthcare providers. The government’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme includes a pillar focused on unlocking medical value chains and reducing stock-out rates of family planning products. Another pillar aims to achieve an efficient, equitable, and quality health system and strengthen programs for priority diseases.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachallom, highlighted the critical role of micronutrients in fetal development and maternal outcomes. He pointed out the high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in women of reproductive age worldwide and explained that WHO’s guidelines recommend providing MMS, including IFA, to pregnant women during antenatal care to improve maternal health outcomes. The Nigerian government’s policies and national guidelines also recommend the daily oral consumption of one tablet of MMS for 180 days during pregnancy.
This initiative is particularly important in poor resource settings where micronutrient intake is typically low due to inadequate dietary diversity, limited access to nutritious food, gender inequality, and prevalent social norms. By providing MMS during pregnancy, the government aims to address the heightened nutritional needs of pregnant women and improve maternal health outcomes in the country.
