“My name is Alheri. During the antenatal sessions for my first baby, I was prescribed fesolate and folic acid. I struggled with eating—whatever I consumed often came right back up. I didn’t adhere strictly to the supplements because I was not eating well and was always vomiting. When I gave birth, my baby weighed 2.8kg. However, during my second pregnancy, I received a new supplement at the hospital. The healthcare provider explained that it was called Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), a new supplement with more vitamins and minerals including folic acid and fesolate compared to what I previously used and encouraged me to use it. Trusting her advice that a Health care provider will not put my life in danger, I started taking the MMS. The results were surprising: no vomiting, increased appetite, and a much smoother pregnancy. At birth, my second baby weighed 3.8kg—a full kilogram heavier than her sibling. I’m grateful for this intervention and hope the government will make MMS accessible to all pregnant women.” Watch Alheri’s story here https://youtu.be/urWF77AFLUc. It was shared during a CS-SUNN media engagement in Kaduna.
The 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) factsheet reveals that one billion women worldwide lack access to adequate nutrition and balanced diets—critical for survival and growth at every stage of life. Fortunately, Alheri, a lactating mother from Kaduna, is an inspiring exception. Her access to interventions like Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) has helped her combat micronutrient deficiencies, contributing to improved maternal and child health outcomes. Alheri’s story is just one of many emerging narratives showcasing the transformative impact of MMS in Nigeria.
Media Engagement in Kaduna: Driving Advocacy for MMS
Recently, CS-SUNN in collaboration with key stakeholders, organized a media Engagement in Kaduna for Reportage on the Uptake of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for Anaemia Prevention and Control in Nigeria. The meeting aimed to deepen public awareness and stimulate policy discussions around scaling up MMS in Nigeria. The session, which drew 31 participants from diverse sectors, underscored the critical role of media in driving nutrition advocacy and shaping public discourse around this critical intervention.
Representatives from the State Ministry of Health (SMOH), Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), Ministry of Human Services and Development, Results for Development (R4D), World Bank/ANRiN, FHI 360 Alive & Thrive and media organizations cutting across broadcast and print were in attendance, including CS-SUNN National and Kaduna State chapter representatives. Participants explored how strategic reportage could amplify the uptake of MMS and address misconceptions.
A Collective Call to Action
The roundtable opened with remarks from CS-SUNN and key partners. Salima Umar from the SMOH highlighted the media’s key role in disseminating accurate health information and demystifying MMS to foster its acceptance. She commended CS-SUNN for its significant contribution to improving nutrition and health outcomes in Kaduna State.
The Deputy Director from the PBC, Priscilla reiterated the need for sustainable investments in nutrition. “Addressing micronutrient deficiencies isn’t just a health issue; it’s an economic imperative,” she remarked, assuring the Kaduna state government’s commitment to integrating MMS into the state’s health agenda.
The Special Adviser to the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Development Maryam Muazu highlighted the critical need to scale up Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in Nigeria, with a particular focus on Kaduna State. She emphasized that providing adequate nutritional support to pregnant women is essential for ensuring the birth of healthier babies. Muazu also commended CS-SUNN for its dedication to driving grassroots awareness through strategic media engagement, which has significantly enhanced the dissemination of vital health information.
Rilwan Sholanke, representing R4D, expressed his organization’s satisfaction in partnering with CS-SUNN. He acknowledged the importance of their collaborative efforts in advancing the MMS agenda. Sholanke called on the media to sustain their advocacy for MMS scale-up, emphasizing its role in preventing and managing anaemia among pregnant women.
Bottom Left: Deputy Director Planning and Budget Commission, Priscilla | Bottom Right: Dr. Zainab Mohammed Idris, Program Coordinator at ANRiN Worldbank
Showing casing the Evidence for MMS
The meeting featured impactful presentations that brough to light, the challenges and opportunities in scaling up MMS. Hope Ikani, Program Officer at CS-SUNN, provided an overview of Nigeria’s nutrition landscape. She noted that anaemia, driven by iron deficiency, remains a leading cause of maternal mortality.
“MMS offers a cost-effective solution,” Ikani explained. “It enhances maternal health and reduces the risk of low birth weight, contributing to healthier newborns.” She also discussed the barriers to widespread MMS adoption, including funding constraints and limited awareness. Her presentation concluded with a compelling call for stakeholders to prioritize MMS in national health programs.
The Power of Media in MMS Advocacy
Lilian Okafor, Communications Officer at CS-SUNN, highlighted the strategic role of media in enhancing MMS visibility. She detailed how targeted media campaigns—using TV, radio, print, and social media—can drive awareness and acceptance of MMS, especially in rural areas. She urged the media to enhance public awareness and advocacy for Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), through a multi-pronged approach. This includes dedicated coverage on MMS, public service announcements, and simplified explainer segments in news shows to reach a broad audience. She called for investigative journalism to spotlight gaps in maternal health services, emphasizing MMS as a viable solution to nutritional deficiencies and publishing myth-busting segments to further dispel misconceptions about MMS.
Voices from the Field
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion featuring experts and beneficiaries. Alheri, an MMS beneficiary shared her transformative experience, underscoring the tangible benefits of MMS for both mother and child.
Dr. Zainab Mohammed Idris, Program Coordinator at ANRiN Worldbank, stressed the need for sustained community engagement. She called for leveraging local health workers as “foot soldiers” to ensure MMS reaches the grassroots.
Elizabeth Boniface from CS-SUNN, Kaduna chapter emphasized advocacy as a linchpin for MMS scale-up. “Our mission is clear: to secure policy commitments and funding that will make MMS a priority in maternal care across Kaduna State,” she affirmed.
The Call to Action:
A critical opportunity is available for governments, including Kaduna State, to ensure that every pregnant woman experiences an optimal pregnancy journey and outcomes similar to Alheri’s. The Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a catalytic financing mechanism by UNICEF, enables national governments to double their investments in essential nutrition commodities, including MMS, for the prevention and treatment of anaemia.
Highlighting this opportunity, Mr. Silas Ideva, CS-SUNN’s State Chapter Lead for Capacity Building, delivered a press statement on behalf of the Executive Secretary. He emphasized, The Kaduna State Government can take a bold action through strategic investments in MMS to drastically reduce anaemia rates, improve pregnancy outcomes, and provide the next generation with a healthier start in life. We urge the Kaduna State government to leverage the Child Nutrition Fund to procure MMS and ensure it is accessible to all pregnant women across the state.”
It is important for the state government to strengthen the integration of MMS into Antenatal Care Protocols in health facilities, ensuring that every pregnant woman receives comprehensive micronutrient support. It is also essential to equip healthcare providers with the necessary training to effectively deliver MMS and educate mothers on the importance of this intervention. Establishing robust systems for monitoring MMS distribution to prevent stockouts and ensure that supplies are consistently available in both rural and urban healthcare facilities is key”, he added
CS-SUNN has further contributed to these efforts by building the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively track and monitor MMS coverage, uptake, and adherence among pregnant women, thereby enhancing data availability and supporting evidence-based advocacy for improved maternal nutrition.
Charting the Path Forward
The roundtable concluded with actionable steps to advance the MMS agenda. These include sustained media coverage, robust community sensitization, and strategic advocacy to integrate MMS into state health policies.
As the session ended, the Communications Officer, Lilian Okafor reiterated CS-SUNN’s commitment to fostering partnerships that drive nutrition outcomes. The media’s role in this journey remains indispensable, as their reportage shapes perceptions and mobilizes support for life-saving interventions like MMS.
Why MMS Matters for Pregnant Women in Kaduna and beyond.
Alheri’s story serves as a powerful example to the potential of MMS to transform maternal health. For millions of Nigerian women, access to MMS could mean the difference between a high-risk pregnancy and a safe, healthy journey to motherhood. By scaling up MMS, we can pave the way for healthier pregnancies, healthier families and ensure maternal security for Nigeria.
