CS-SUNN Tasks Stakeholders on Improving Visibility for Effective Scaling-Up of MMS in Kaduna
By: Edirin Robinson
The Civil Society, Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has tasked relevant stakeholders on improving public awareness for effective scaling-Up of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) for anaemia prevention and control in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Sunday Okoronkwo and made available during a media engagement with State Partners on uptake of MMS in Kaduna, Yesterday.
He stated that, “In Nigeria, recent findings from the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveal an increase in malnutrition levels in the country when compared to data from five years ago.”
According to him, this worrisome development requires an urgent and more coordinated response to address the rising malnutrition crisis. “The survey showed that nationally, 4 out of every 10 (40%) children under five are stunted (compared to the 37% stunting rate in 2018) with about 5 (55%) out of 10 women of reproductive age suffering anaemia.”
The Executive Secretary stressed that, Kaduna state mirrors these national challenges, with even more pronounced rates of malnutrition among children as the data revealed that 4 out of every 10 children under-five (40.7%) are stunted, about two to three (24.7%) out of every 10 children are underweight with one (5.9%) out of every 20 children suffering wasting.
He noted that these are not just numbers; but lives and those of current and next generations will continue to be impacted by these conditions that collectively hinder growth/cognitive development, weaken immunity, increase vulnerability to illness/death and even contribute to reduced productivity later in adulthood.
In view of this, Mr Sunday disclosed that, in 2021, following the WHO’s updated nutritional recommendation and guidelines, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare approved the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements during pregnancy through its updated National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria.
“Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) have emerged as a cost-effective intervention that substantially improve maternal nutrition outcomes. MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring significant improvement in birth outcomes.
“Research indicates that daily MMS intake during pregnancy can prevent anaemia, promote healthy pregnancy outcomes, and reduce the likelihood of low birth weights. This powerful, preventive intervention has a high potential for impact in Kaduna State.
He added that his organization in partnership with international and national stakeholders, have been at the forefront of advocating for the adoption and scale-up of MMS in Nigeria.
“With organizations such as UNICEF, Alive & Thrive, Results for Development among others, CS-SUNN is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes through MMS
“These collaborations have allowed CS-SUNN to support the Nigerian government in policy reviews and advocacy efforts to integrate MMS into standard antenatal care protocols, prioritize MMS in national and state health policies. The alliance strongly contributed to the inclusion of MMS in the Essential Medicines List.”
He therefore, urged the Kaduna state government to leverage the Child Nutrition Fund, to procure MMS and make it accessible to all pregnant women in the state adding that, it is important to strengthen the integration of MMS into Antenatal Care Protocols in health facilities, to ensure that every pregnant woman receives comprehensive micronutrient support.
“The Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is a catalytic financing matching fund by UNICEF that enables national governments to double their investments in essential nutrition commodities including MMS, for the prevention and treatment of anaemia.
“Through the Child Nutrition Fund, the Kaduna State Government can harness a unique co-financing mechanism to double its investments in nutrition commodities like MMS and other interventions.
“Now is the time for Kaduna State to take bold action through strategic investments in MMS to drastically reduce anaemia rates, improve pregnancy outcomes, and give the next generation in this state a healthier start in life.
‘In the coming weeks, CS-SUNN will contribute to these efforts by building the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively track and monitor MMS coverage, uptake, and adherence among pregnant women, thereby enhancing data availability and supporting evidence-based advocacy for improved maternal nutrition.”
He charged the media to continue to raise public awareness about the benefits of MMS, especially in anaemia prevention and improvement of maternal outcomes.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed said the meeting is a vital initiative targeted at addressing the persistent micronutrient deficiencies affecting the health and productivity of vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women.
The State Commissioner who was represented by the Deputy Director, Development Aid Committee, Priscilla Dariah stressed that the consequences of these deficiencies are severe, impacting maternal and child health outcomes.
“As we are aware, anaemia affects 31.5% of pregnant women in Nigeria, with alarming deficiencies in essential micronutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate, and zinc. Research has consistently shown that MMS is effective in addressing these deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency which is the leading cause of anaemia.”
However, Hon. Ahmed noted that despite the benefits of MMS, its uptake remains not as it should be and took the initiative to call on stakeholders to support it’s scaling-Up through increased public awareness.
“Therefore, we must intensify our efforts to promote awareness, drive discourse, and foster policy changes that support the scale-up of MMS across Nigeria. This media engagement is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
“The Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission is committed to supporting initiatives that improve the health and well-being of our citizens. We recognize the critical role that MMS can play in addressing micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia prevention.
He applauded the efforts of CS-SUNN in bringing together stakeholders from government, health sectors, partners, and media professionals adding that, the collaborative approach is essential in bridging the awareness gap on MMS and driving meaningful change.
“Through this media engagement, we aim to promote increased awareness and support for MMS uptake, improve visibility, and foster agenda-setting on policy and decision-making. We look forward to productive discussions and meaningful outcomes.”
Similarly, The Nutrition Officer, State Primary HealthCare Board, Ramatu Musa Haruna opined that the Media should be part of those who will propagate the gospel of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation in Kaduna State, citing its importance in anaemia prevention and control in Kaduna State.
According to her, the State Government is committed to ensuring that every pregnant woman is well supplemented with the necessary nutrients that will give her and the baby in the Womb adequate nutrition.
She disclosed that as support for the scaling-Up of MMS, the Kaduna State Government has released the sum of 400 million Naira as a commitment fund for child nutrition funding which will help in procuring more of the MMS for pregnant women across the State.
In an interview with the Project Coordinator for Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN project) Dr Zainab Muhammad Kwaru, She disclosed that her Organization has been projecting the MMS since 2022, through non State Actors at Community levels.
She added that many Organizations are Partnering with the State Government in the Scaling-Up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation in Kaduna State and CS-SUNN is a part and parcel of it, pushing for improved visibility.
However, she lamented over the level of visibility on MMS, saying that, one would expect the information is readily available considering that a lot of meetings have been held to improve awareness on the MMS.
“As a World Bank supported project, we started it in 2022 at the community level where we had non-State actors contracter to deliver these commodities to pregnant women and some of our adolescents girls by going house to house across the 23 LGA.
“We were able to deliver 16 million doses of this commodity across all 23 LGAs in Kaduna since we started in 2022 and we expect that our representatives should have enough information and continue to spread word about it.
“But what happens to the Woman at the Community level who does not have access to this information because she is cut off from technology? This is why we are appealing to stakeholders especially the media to provide wide coverage and continue to push out information to the populace even in rural areas.”
She added that, learning from what has been done, a template is available to design a blue print that is going to be developed before the training of the Healthcare providers on effective delivery of MMS services at the facility level.
One of the beneficiaries of the MMS, Alheri Monday from Jama’a LGA said she benefitted from both the workshop but the MMS, adding that it is a very good supplement that all pregnant women should have access to.
“I want to appreciate the health facility that gave me the supplement during my pregnancy which they got from ANRiN according to the Health providers. Compared to my previous pregnancy and the last one, there is a difference between the First Child and the Second Baby.
“The First Child had weighed 2.8kg but with the MMS, my second Baby weighed 3.7kg and throughout the pregnancy, there was no vomiting and I had a good appetite to the surprise of many.
“I appreciate the support and I pray that the organization in charge of providing the MMS will try and reach a wider range so that others will benefit from it like I did.”
