A report by a Non-Governmental Organization, Alive and Thrive, has stated that no fewer than 58 percent of pregnant women in Nigeria have a deficiency of anemia. This the NGO said is a major contributory factor of maternal and child mortality in the country.
This was disclosed by the Senior Technical Adviser on Behavior Change Communication, of Alive and Thrive, Dr. Auwalu Kawu. He stated this during a two-day media interactive dialogue on Multiple Micronutrients Supplements, MMS, a critical intervention for improving maternal and child health.
Speaking at the event, which took place in Kano State, Dr. Kawu said the figure was based on the most recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS, 2018 to 2024.
Kawu, however, advocated the need for pregnant women to use MMS. He said it would help to prevent pregnancy complications as a result of deficiency in nutrients.
According to him, “Recently, the Federal Government in collaboration with Kano State is focusing on improving maternal health, particularly among pregnant women. This is a very critical period because the concern is on maternal mortality, especially during pregnancy. So, the Government is committed to provide MMS to all pregnant women in the country. Essentially, which will address a lot of the challenges pregnant women face during pregnancy.
“We have observed in addition to anemia, that pregnant women suffer several deficiencies in nutrition. So, Multiple Micro-Nutrients, MMS consists of 15 nutrients that are extremely essential for pregnant women to ensure safe delivery and healthy baby.
“So, our meeting today with the media is one of the interactive sessions. This is because the media are critical partners in promoting the messages and campaign on MMS.
“We want to encourage the women to use MMS as provided to them at the health facility. MMS is one of the key solutions to anemia.
“All along, Nigerian Government or in health facilities, women were given Iron Folic Acid, IFA but MMS compliments that. It provides an additional 12 nutrients. So, it makes her healthy and address some complications in related to nutritional deficiency.
“Nationally, the current anemia rate is still about 58 percent of pregnant women. They are deficient in anemia. MMS we anticipate will be able to address that gap and correct it,” Dr. Kawu stated.
The Deputy Country Director (Programmes) of Alive and Thrive, Stephanie Dada stated the importance of the parley. She said the media interactive session was to raise awareness of the media practitioners on the need to encourage pregnant women to take MMS at the facility to reduce maternal deaths.
source: Vanguard
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