The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) convened a capacity-building workshop in Kano focused on building the capacity of civil society and community-based organizations (CSOs/CBOs) to track Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) coverage, uptake, and adherence.
With anaemia affecting nearly half of Kano’s pregnant women and over 70% of children under five, the stakes could not be higher. These figures, drawn from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2018), reveal the urgency of addressing maternal anaemia through effective interventions. MMS uptake in Nigeria will require effective coverage, adherence and monitoring to harness it’s huge potentials for maternal nutrition.
The workshop was a crucial step in bridging these gaps, bringing together 40 participants, including representatives from CSOs, media, and government agencies. The training was designed to achieve two key objectives:
- Enhancing Tracking and Reporting Skills of CSOs and CBOs and equipping them with tools and techniques to monitor MMS coverage and adherence accurately.
- Strengthening Collaboration and partnerships between CSOs, healthcare providers, and government stakeholders to create a coordinated response to maternal anaemia.
Participants left with a deeper understanding of MMS and the critical role they play in its successful implementation.
According to Auwal Aliyu Ahamed from the Kano State Ministry of Health “This training on MMS tracking will set a solid ground for effective monitoring, coverage, and evaluation of progress achieved during the implementation process of this intervention”.
Another participant, Hauwa S Zahradeen from the Kano State Radio Corporation stated “The training is apt considering the pressing need to enhance the capacity of the health care workers to properly administer MMS and keep good records. Moreover, it will assist in developing content-specific advocacy tools for the stakeholders to procure and avoid stock-outs. Then, the CSOs will monitor.”
The workshop yielded immediate benefits:
- Strengthened Monitoring Capabilities: CSOs now possess the skills to track and report on MMS usage in real time, providing critical data to inform policy decisions.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Knowledge: Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of MMS, empowering them to advocate for better maternal nutrition interventions.
- Improved Collaboration: The event solidified partnerships among key players, setting the stage for more coordinated efforts against anaemia.
This move by CS-SUNN to empower CSOs and CBOs is a significant drive toward a community-centered approach to nutrition and the fight against anaemia in Kano State and beyond.
