Abuja: The introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) has significantly reduced cases of anaemia among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Dutse-Alhaji Primary Healthcare Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Deborah Joshua, the Officer-in-Charge of the facility, revealed this during a media field visit organized by the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition (CS-SUNN) to raise awareness among pregnant women about the benefits of MMS. She explained that MMS simplifies supplementation by providing the necessary nutrients in a single daily tablet, leading to fewer instances of anaemia and early stabilization for those who register already anaemic.
Dr. Joshua confirmed that each pregnant woman receives a free bottle containing 180 tablets and is instructed to take one daily from the day of registration. She emphasized the importance of antenatal attendance as MMS works best when combined with routine checks, counselling, and close monitoring of pregnancy. However, she noted operational challenges such as inadequate human resources, which affects the speed at which women are attended to.
Mrs. Chinyere Ekwueme, the FCT State Nutrition Officer, described MMS as a ‘game-changer’ because it contains 15 micronutrients compared to the two in previous Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets. She highlighted that mothers prefer MMS due to its better smell and lack of nausea, which improves compliance during pregnancy. Ekwueme stressed that while MMS improves birth outcomes, it does not eliminate pregnancy complications, making antenatal attendance in certified facilities essential.
Ekwueme also urged communities to report any health worker found selling the supplements, as this violates FCT Administration directives. She encouraged the FCT Administration to join the Child Nutrition Fund to ensure a sustainable MMS supply after the donor-supported stock is depleted. Monitoring systems, including mystery shoppers, have been deployed to ensure compliance with free distribution guidelines.
Mr. Peter Olusola, Communications and Campaign Manager for CS-SUNN, emphasized the importance of the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) as a critical opportunity for Nigeria to address malnutrition. He explained that CNF is a matching fund managed by the United Nations Children’s Fund that doubles government commitments for nutrition commodities. Olusola warned that the opportunity is time-bound, ending in 2030, after which unused funds will be rerouted.
Mrs. Precious Innocent, a third-time mother using the facility, shared her positive experience with MMS, noting an improvement in her blood levels and overall strength. Another pregnant woman, Mrs. Amina Yakubu, also reported feeling healthier in her current pregnancy compared to previous ones when she did not use MMS.