Multiple Micronutrient Supplements, pinnacle to Anemia — Expert
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements, pinnacle to Anemia — Expert
By: Femi Mustapha
A Medical Practitioner Dr Victor Gugong has said Multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) which Contain 15 essential vitamins and minerals are a safe and effective way to improve the diets
and nutritional status of pregnant and reduce the cases of Anemia.
Dr Gugong who is the Sarkin Shanu Kagoro asserted this during a Town Hall Meeting on the reduction of Anemia using MMS in Kaduna State”, organized by Civil Society-Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), in Kafachan on 26th February 2024.
According to him Micronutrients are only needed in very small quantities but are essential for normal physiological function, growth and development.
He added that Deficiencies of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, iodine and folate are particularly common during pregnancy, due to increased nutrient requirements of the mother and developing fetus.
“These deficiencies can negatively impact the health of the mother, her pregnancy, as well as the health of the newborn baby.”
Dr Gugong stressed that transitioning to MMS from Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) is expected to avert 3.6 million deaths in Nigeria, prevent the deaths of an additional 52,475 children and yield benefits that are 1,054 times greater than the costs.
In his remarks, the Health Secretary of Jama’a Local Government Area Dr. Maga Alhamdu said Maternal anaemia remains a persistent challenge, particularly in Nigeria, which has the highest prevalence of maternal anaemia globally,
He disclosed that Multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in pregnancy has previously been associated with positive effects on fetal growth, saying taking it during Pregnancy Increased Birth Weight and Skinfold Thicknesses in the Offspring.
In her welcome address the the Nutrition Focal Person, Jama’a LGA Blessing Thomas urged the Community Stakeholders at the meeting to community people cooperate with support the introduction of MMS for the betterment of pregnant mothers, and their children to reduce the high rates of maternal maternity in our communities and the state at large.
Mrs. Thomas opined that providing women with MMS during pregnancy as part of a comprehensive ANC programme is opportune for accelerating progress towards reducing the risk of low birth weight (LBW), childhood stunting and anaemia in women and helping to move the agenda on women’s and maternal health and nutrition.
Stakeholders at the meeting called on the State government to continue to provide free Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), during Antenatal Care sessions, and ensure the product is fully available.
The Lauded Civil Society-Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), for the awareness saying there is a need for such awareness to be stepped down to the grassroots.
