By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through its Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), has provided three million bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in 2024, in order to improve maternal health in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by UNICEF, and made available to journalists in Abuja, said an additional three million bottles will be received in 2025 to further support pregnant women.

The statement said, “However, with 12 million pregnancies annually, more efforts are needed to scale up MMS availability.

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.

“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 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. In 2025, through the CNF, Nigeria will receive an additional 3 million bottles donated by Kirk Humanitarian to further expand coverage and reach more pregnant women in need”.

“Ensuring that pregnant women receive the necessary micronutrients is a vital step in reducing maternal mortality and improving child health,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “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.”

With an estimated 12 million pregnancies in Nigeria in 2024, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), there remains a pressing need to scale up MMS availability and ensure its widespread use. To achieve this, it is 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.

“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,” said Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The government remains committed to expanding this initiative to reach every pregnant woman in need.”

The statement reads, “UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria in scaling up MMS coverage and strengthening maternal and child health interventions. Nigeria has taken a pioneering step by being one of the first countries to include MMS in the Essential Medicines List and invest in local manufacturing of MMS, ensuring long-term sustainability and accessibility.

“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”.