The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners have provided 3 million bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to improve maternal health in Nigeria.
This is according to a statement issued by the organisation on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world with 1047 deaths per 100,000 live births, and a high proportion of babies born with low birth weight or prematurely, putting them at increased risk of death compared to full-term, healthy babies.
It noted that many challenges contribute to maternal mortality, including maternal nutrition, leading to widespread micronutrient deficiencies.
The National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (2024) revealed that many pregnant women in Nigeria suffer from deficiencies in iron, zinc, Vitamin A, folate, and other essential nutrients. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving maternal health and child survival.
The statement disclosed that the 3 million bottles of MMS in 2024, donated by Kirk Humanitarian Foundation and distributed during the second round of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in 2024.
It further hinted that in 2025, through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), Nigeria will receive an additional 3 million bottles donated by Kirk Humanitarian to further expand coverage and reach more pregnant women in need.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate informed that the donation was a testament to their commitment to support Nigeria:
“Ensuring that pregnant women receive the necessary micronutrients is a vital step in reducing maternal mortality and improving child health. This donation is a testament to our commitment to supporting the Government of Nigeria in scaling MMS coverage and making maternal health a national priority”, she said.
The Fund however posited that with an estimated 12 million pregnancies in Nigeria in 2024, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), there remained a pressing need to scale up MMS availability and ensure its widespread use.
To achieve this, it was crucial for both the Federal and State Governments to invest in MMS procurement through the unique 1:1 match fund mechanism of the Child Nutrition Fund.
On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate said Nigeria was taking decisive steps to address maternal nutrition challenges:
“Nigeria is taking decisive steps to address maternal nutrition challenges. The inclusion of MMS in our Essential Medicines List and investments in local production are key milestones in ensuring sustainable access.
“The government remains committed to expanding this initiative to reach every pregnant woman in need.”
“We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria,” said Spencer Kirk, Founder of Kirk Humanitarian. Providing MMS at scale is one of the most impactful ways to support healthy pregnancies and ensure better outcomes for mothers and babies. Our goal is to continue working with partners to expand this initiative further”, he said.
The Child Nutrition Fund, managed by UNICEF, is supported by a coalition of global partners, including the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, the Gates Foundation, and Kirk Humanitarian.
This fund provides a sustainable financing model that ensures more pregnant women receive essential micronutrients for a healthy pregnancy and improved birth outcomes.
