The Kwara Government has disclosed that over 14,423 Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) were distributed during the recent Maternal, Neonatal Health Child Health (MNCH) Week.
The Kwara Commissioner for Health Dr Amina El-Imam stated this on Thursday in Ilorin during the State-Level Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Costed Implementation Plan Development Workshop.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is a collaboration of Kwara Government, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and development partner; Vitamin Angels.
Similarly, the Commissioner also disclosed that a total of 172,762 bottles of MMS had been supplied to Kwara between 2021 and 2026.
She explained that the workshop aligns with the National Roadmap for Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (2025–2029).
According to her, the programme seeks to ensure equitable access to MMS for every pregnant women as part of routine antenatal care services.
The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi observed that it aimed at strengthening maternal nutrition and improving pregnancy outcomes across the state.
“The MMS has been proven to reduce maternal anaemia, low birth weight, preterm births, and other poor pregnancy outcomes,” she said.
El-Imam reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to supporting evidence-based interventions that advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
According to her, the state has continued to record significant progress in maternal and child health through investments in primary healthcare, immunization, maternal health services, health insurance coverage, and health system strengthening.
“Thousands of pregnant women continue to access skilled birth attendance services across health facilities, while the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme has expanded access to essential maternal and child healthcare services,” she said.
The Commissioner emphasized that despite these achievements, challenges relating to maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies persist, making the introduction and scale-up of MMS both timely and necessary.
In her welcome address, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, described the workshop as a critical step towards securing better health outcomes for mothers and children in the state.
Elelu who was represented by the State Nutrition Officer, Dr. Bankole Olugbenga, highlighted ongoing efforts by the agency, including the integration of MMS into antenatal care services and free distribution of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA).
Other activities, she said, includes MMS during Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Weeks, training of healthcare workers on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, and the implementation of the “Eat a Rainbow” campaign.
“The four-day workshop is designed to develop a state-specific, costed implementation plan aligned with the National MMS Roadmap, ensuring adequate resources, proper budgeting, and effective implementation across the state.
Presenting the objectives of the workshop, the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) Desk Officer, Dr. Ola Ahmed, stated that participants would review the National MMS Roadmap (2025–2029) and its implementation framework, adapt the national policy and framework for implementation in Kwara.
“It will also assess the state’s readiness for MMS rollout and scale-up within antenatal care services, and develop a realistic state-specific implementation plan and budget.
“Other objectives include defining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders at state and local government levels and identifying financing options for sustainable implementation.
“It also helps in developing indicators for monitoring and evaluating MMS implementation outcomes,” she said.
In her goodwill message, the Technical Specialist, Vitamin Angels, Dr. Gloria Ode, noted that MMS was first introduced in Kwara by Vitamin Angels as a cost-effective intervention aimed at improving the health of pregnant women.
She explained that the programme has proven beneficial in reducing maternal mortality, anaemia, and low birth weight among newborns.
Ode commended the government for its unwavering commitment and support towards the successful implementation of the programme.
She also expressed confidence that the continued scale-up of MMS would further improve maternal and child health outcomes across the state.