By Sani Idris

Nutrition Focal Persons (NFPs), cut across the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State, have restated their committment to promoting intake of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) and improving health outcome of pregnant women at the local level.

The NFPs, made the committments at the end of a two-day orientation program on MMS organised by the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) with support from Alive & Thrive on Friday in Kaduna.

The sensitisation, was also supported by
other Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) MMS grantees; UNICEF, Nutrition International, Results for Development (R4D) and Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).

One of the NFP, Nafisa Yusuf of Makarfi LGA, said she would step down the training she received to pregnant women in her LG.

She said that the MMS, which contains 15 micro nutrients could not be derived from the normal diet.

“MMS improves nutritional situation of pregnant women and prevent them from anaemia, eklemssia and heart failure. the orientation we have by Alive&Thrive will be a game-changer in our efforts to promote MMS,”Yusuf said.

On her part, the NFP of Jama’a LGA, Blessing Thomas, said that the orientation by Alive & Thrive’s would be valuable in enhancing their capacity in promoting MMS intake and improving health outcomes.

She explained that they were hitherto familiar with Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) which they normally give pregnant women during antenatal natal care.

Thomas however, said they now have a better knowledge and better product to use (MMS), which is used to prevent anemia, where IFAS was used for treatment.

She therefore said she would intensify effort to promote the MMS through increased awareness at communities in her LGA even before the product
are readily available.

Also, Mrs Ruth Samuel, NFP, Chikun LGA, stressed the importance of MMS in maintainance of haemoglobin level of pregnant women and suppressing chances of anaemia.

She explained that MMS intake would be easy for the women because it is a single tablet containing 15 nutrients, against IFAS which is two to three which the women take at once.

“IFAS is only used when there is low haemoglobin level (anaemia), where if it normal, then MMS plays a role in maintaining the haemoglobin level, protects the fetus, reduce mortality and mobility rate for pregnant women,” she said.

Samuel, therefore said they would work tirelessly to ensure that every pregnant woman and child in their communities receives the necessary MMS for optimal health.

Equally, Tukur Muhammad, the NFP, Zaria LGA, said he would scale down the orientation he received to health facilities at his LGA.

He added that, when the commodities became available, he would distribute it to all the facilities.

Muhammad underscored the importance of behavioral change approach in convincing pregnant women to switch from IFAS to MMS.

He however expressed optimism that his LGA would accept MMS, stressing that it has no side effects.

Mrs Sarah Kwasu, the State Team Lead of Alive & Thrive, said she was thrilled to see the commitment of the NFPs to promoting MMS intake and improving health outcomes for pregnant women at the local level.

She noted that orientation program was aimed at equiping the NFPs with the knowledge and skills necessary to champion MMS promotion in their respective LGAs.

“We believe that our support, combined with the NFPs dedication, will lead to a significant impact on the health and well-being of mothers and children in Kaduna State.”

NAN reports that at the end of the orientation, the NFPs agreed on strategies to address the challenges and improve MMS coverage in the state.

NAN also reports that Alive & Thrive, which facilitated the orientation, is a global nutrition program, aimed at improving the health and well-being of mothers and children in developing countries.

The program focuses on promoting optimal maternal and infant nutrition practices, including breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, and adequate micronutrient intake.(NAN)