In Lagos state, civil society organizations have been empowered to contribute to reshaping Nigeria’s maternal nutrition landscape. Their mission is clear: to ensure that Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), a proven intervention for promoting healthier pregnancies, are accessible to the target population—pregnant women.
A capacity-building workshop led by CS-SUNN recently in Lagos was designed with the goal of equipping civil society and community-based organizations with the skills, tools and knowledge to track, monitor, and advocate for MMS coverage, uptake, and adherence.
Building Capacity for Real Impact
The workshop was designed to ensure participants could effectively track and monitor MMS usage, analyze the data collected, and use this information to drive meaningful advocacy for its uptake. The sessions, attended by 25 participants (18 women and 7 men), included representatives from various CSOs and CBOs across Lagos.
The workshops focused on practical, easy-to-apply methods to build participants’ skills:
- Theoretical Learning: CS-SUNN facilitators introduced MMS by covering its composition, benefits, and role in maternal and child health. Participants learned the importance of using MMS to combat nutritional deficiencies especially anaemia and reduce health risks during pregnancy.
- Practical Tools and Resources: Participants were provided with data collection templates, tracking tools, and digital resources tailored to monitor MMS distribution and adherence. These resources empowered them to follow a standardized approach to data gathering.
- Hands-On Practice: Participants engaged in mock data collection exercises, simulating real-time scenarios at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). This activity allowed them to apply what they had learned in a controlled environment and receive feedback on their methods.
- Case Studies: Success stories and lessons from MMS tracking efforts in similar contexts were presented to inspire and guide participants in adopting best practices.
The training sessions encouraged discussions on partnership strategies between CSOs, healthcare providers, and government agencies. These sessions, emphasized the importance of working together to improve MMS access and adherence. The structure of the training was intentional, with each element carefully crafted to ensure attendees not only gained knowledge but also developed actionable skills to drive maternal nutrition advocacy forward.
Impact Story:
The workshop left a profound impact on participants, many of whom had little or no prior knowledge about MMS. Iruoma Ofortube, Executive Director of the Thyroid Awareness and Support Initiative shares her thoughts:
” When I first heard about Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), I was skeptical. I had no prior knowledge about them. However, I decided to attend the training session, and it was an eye-opening experience. The facilitators expertly explained the composition, benefits, and critical role of MMS in improving maternal and child health. I learned that MMS provides essential vitamins and minerals crucial for pregnant women and their babies’ development. The training emphasized the urgent need to scale up MMS use to combat nutritional deficiencies and reduce maternal and neonatal health risks. I gained a deeper understanding of MMS and its impact, and I felt empowered to take action. Inspired by the training, I am now committed to advocating within my organization for the importance of MMS in maternal health programs. My goal is to raise awareness, influence policy, and drive the integration of MMS into routine antenatal care services.”
The workshop’s success is evident through the results of post-training evaluations, which showed a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge and understanding of MMS tracking and advocacy. CSOs now have the capacity to collect and analyze data that can inform evidence-based advocacy, pushing for better policies and increased funding for maternal nutrition interventions.
However, the training also revealed gaps, such as the lack of MMS distribution training for healthcare workers in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). This challenge became a rallying point for participants, who identified it as an area, requiring urgent action to ensure seamless data collection and adherence monitoring.
A Coordinated Response: Building Momentum for Change
This workshop not only empowered organizations but also strengthened collaboration. Participants worked together to develop tailored action plans for the state, harmonizing strategies for MMS tracking and advocacy. The ripple effects are already being felt. Partnerships between CSOs, government agencies, and healthcare providers have strengthened, laying a solid foundation for more informed and impactful advocacy on MMS uptake in Nigeria and reinforcing a coordinated response to advancing maternal nutrition outcomes.
CS-SUNN and partners have developed action plans and tracking tools to support CSOs in monitoring MMS at the grassroots level. A mock tracking exercise scheduled for January 2025 will establish baseline data, ensuring subsequent advocacy efforts are data-driven and evidence-based.
As CSOs continue to lead this charge, the vision remains clear: ensuring that every pregnant woman has access to the nutritional support she needs. By building accountability, transparency, and adherence into the system, civil society is demonstrating that empowered communities are the key to unlocking better health outcomes for mothers and their children in Nigeria and even beyond.
