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Prof Ali Muhammad Pate
Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare |
“The World Health Organization approved Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) and recommended its use as a safe and cost- effective way to meet micronutrient requirements of pregnancy.” Prof. Pate.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, alongside technical partners such Nutrition International and World Health Organization, WHO, in the bid to checkmate child/maternal mortality and stillbirths in the country, launched the commencement of Multiple Micronutrients Supplementation for pregnant women in Nigeria on Monday 29 January, 2024 in Abuja.
The benefits of Multiple Micronutrients Supplementation MMS over Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation IFAS, when compared, shows higher benefits and these includes among others: improvement in the number of infants born with low birth weight by 12-14%, reduces preterm birth by 6-8%, reduce the number of stillbirths by 8%, reduces the number of small for gestational age newborn infants by 2 -9%. Invariably, MMS gives a better Pregnancy outcome.
Prof Ali Muhammad Pate, in his address, noted that, for the MMS to be effective, pregnant women must consume the right dose at the right time with the right frequency which is for 180 days during the pregnancy period.
He further announced that the first MMS Project will kick off in three local government councils in Bauchi State as pilot test.
Professor Pate, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, stated that a recent Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) of Nigeria, shows that over 61% of all pregnant women were anaemic in 2018.
He stressed that maternal anemia puts the mother at increased risk of death and increases the risk of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes.
“The World Health Organization approved Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) and recommended its use as a safe and cost- effective way to meet micronutrient requirements of pregnancy.”
“In 2021, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) approved the use of MMS during pregnancy through its updated National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria (MNDC Guideline).
“Ladies and Gentlemen the benefits of MMS over IFAS when compared includes among others: reduces the number of infants born with low birth weight by 12-14%, reduces preterm birth by 6-8%, reduce the number of stillbirths by 8%, reduces the number of small for gestational age newborn infants by 2 -9%. So, MMS gives a better Pregnancy outcome." The Minister stated.
Prof Ali Pate reiterated that government is not phasing out the Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation and that health facilities with access to IFAS will continue to remain in use.
“MMS only provides additional benefits in preventing anemia and reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. MMS is a safe, cost-effective intervention that holds significant potential to improve women’s nutrition and wellbeing, as well as their offspring.” He said.
Prof Pate further extended his sincere appreciation to BMGF, Nutrition International and other Donors and development partners, Health Agencies at the Federal and State levels, and individuals especially those supporting improved maternal health, nutrition and pregnancy outcomes including the media.
“Maternal malnutrition is not only a public health issue but also an issue of inequity and development. By prioritizing the implementation of MMS programs, we can make sure that mothers receive the essential nutrients they need for a healthy pregnancy.”
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare reassured of the commitment of the ministry and its mission, to develop and implement policies that strengthen the National Health System for effective, efficient, accessible and affordable health care Services in partnership with all other development partners and NGOs.
Director, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Bako Ayebusi who stood in for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in her address at the launch, reiterated on the inclusion of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women that in the “National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrients Deficiencies Control in Nigeria” for improved pregnancy outcomes compared to Iron Folic Acid (IFAs) supplementation.
Ayebusi said that "the MMS usage is a once-a-day pill for effective micronutrient. typically it contains 13-15 vitamins and minerals (nutrients) as outlined by the United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) formula which are required during pregnancy.
“The clear evidence from clinical trials over the last two decades have consistently shown that Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) offers additional benefits over Iron and Folic acid supplements (IFAS) in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes that negatively impact the first 180 days of life and beyond.
“Nigeria is not phasing out IFAS completely, rather transiting from Iron and Folic Acid Supplements (IFAs) to Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS). States that have IFAs will continue to use them. The result of the pilot study going on in Bauchi State will assist the government to make a positive decision on scaling-up Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) implementation across the country." She stated.
The Project, according to the Permanent Secretary, which is titled: “Optimizing Adherence to Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in Nigeria,” will explore the operational realities of transitioning from IFAS supplements to MMS in Nigeria, based on the following criteria; acceptability, feasibility, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.”
Mrs. Kachollom expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nutrition International, and other Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations and Agencies for collaborating with FMoH&SW in the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in improving maternal nutrition in the country.
She commended the Government of Bauchi State for creating an enabling environment for the study.
In his vote of thanks, the Country Representative of Nutrition International, Dr Osita Okonkwo commended the government of Nigeria for the milestone steps noting that NIF is one of the key partners to the Federal Ministry of Health, Nutrition departments.
Okonkwo, while responding to questions from journalists at the event, said the impact of the MMS on body weight of pregnant women, does not have any negative impact. instead MMS helps the child to come out normal, in the mist normal and appropriate way for the newborn.
“We are happy that Nigeria accepted and adopted the research and, we are working closely together to ensure that it is effectively implemented and the outcome of this chart will inform how the government transitions.”
Program Manager, Civil Society- Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria, Dr. Anyanwu Goodness Chidi, while speaking at the occasion, said the organization has been able to use its network to integrate the agenda of MMS into all its advocacy activities to ensure that this project not a failure.
Anyanwu added that the MMS is a more comprehensive supplement that can actually improve the health outcomes of pregnant mothers.
“Currently we are leveraging on the project that we are doing through PNGs support.
“We have two policy’s dialogues across the state and also, we are sensitizing governments from different states on the need to ensure that this project does not fail.
The Civil Society- Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria pledged its support to the ministry noting its readiness to do their own bit anytime they are called upon, as a means to ensuring that this transition is smooth, especially to adoptions by respective state governments.
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