Maternal malnutrition: Lagos scales up micronutrient supplementation for better pregnancy outcomes

Lagos State Government recently organized a one-day stakeholders’ meeting, involving development partners, to strategize on scaling up Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for improved pregnancy outcomes.

The event, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, brought together health professionals, government officials, and representatives from organizations such as UNICEF, Alive and Thrive, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, represented by Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, underscored the importance of combating maternal malnutrition and anemia.

She highlighted the role of evidence-based nutrition interventions in improving the health of pregnant women and children under five. “Malnutrition, particularly iron-deficiency anemia, is a significant public health challenge. The introduction of MMS is a timely intervention,” she remarked.

Dr. Ogunyemi explained that the project, funded by the BMGF, aims to expand the provision of MMS to pregnant and nursing mothers across Lagos.

Although Lagos has previously partnered with Vitamin Angels to provide MMS, she noted that recent findings from the Lagos State Reproductive Health Indicator Survey (LARCHIS, 2022) pointed to rising malnutrition rates among children under five, which called for urgent action.

“According to the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), only 59% of women of reproductive age in Lagos achieved the minimum dietary diversity, far below the acceptable standard,” Dr. Ogunyemi lamented.

She explained that scaling up MMS would bridge this nutritional gap, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, which includes pregnancy and early childhood. She also highlighted the affordability and efficacy of MMS, which contains 15 essential micronutrients, including iron and folic acid.

“Compared to traditional iron-folic acid supplements, MMS provides a more comprehensive approach to addressing micronutrient deficiencies, a critical issue in improving pregnancy outcomes,” she said.

Dr. Folasade Oludara, Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, reinforced the state’s commitment to the project.

“Lagos State has been a leader in maternal health innovations, using MMS for pregnant women over the past four years,” she said, stressing the need for an uninterrupted supply to meet growing demand.

A key outcome of the meeting was the development of a comprehensive work plan for scaling up MMS. This plan, to be jointly implemented by government bodies, NGOs, and private sector representatives, aims to ensure effective distribution to women in both urban and rural areas.

Dr. Oludara also emphasized the importance of collaborating with private healthcare providers, as many pregnant women in Lagos rely on private clinics. “It is essential that we ensure private healthcare providers are included in this scale-up,” she said.

UNICEF’s Nutrition Manager, Prosper Dakuirah, praised Lagos for its leadership in maternal and child health services. He highlighted the state’s 98% coverage in vitamin A supplementation and described the MMS scale-up as a “game changer” for pregnant women’s nutritional status. He added that Lagos would soon receive additional MMS consignments as part of UNICEF’s broader maternal health support for Nigeria.

As the meeting concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism about the potential of the MMS project to reduce maternal and child mortality in Lagos. “This is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Ogunyemi. “Scaling up MMS will significantly improve pregnancy outcomes and contribute to a healthier future for Lagos State.”

Mrs. Taiwo Fadairo, the State Nutrition Officer, further stressed that maternal malnutrition remains a major public health concern. She pointed out that poor dietary intake among pregnant women means many cannot meet their daily nutrient requirements without supplementation.

Mrs. Fadairo called for increased investment in nutrition, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children, emphasizing that strategic interventions like MMS are crucial for preventing complications during pregnancy.

The work plan developed at the meeting will guide the rollout of MMS across Lagos, with stakeholders agreeing to meet periodically to monitor progress and ensure the initiative’s success.