The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) and Alive & Thrive (A&T) have initiated a two-day sensitization program for Nutrition Focal Persons (NFPs) across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State. The training focuses on ‘Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for Pregnant Women.’
A&T, a global nutrition program, aims to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children in developing countries by promoting optimal maternal and infant nutrition practices, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and adequate micronutrient intake.
The sensitization, organized with support from A&T and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), also received backing from UNICEF, Nutrition International, Results for Development (R4D), and Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).
Mrs. Sarah Kwasu, State Team Lead for A&T, stated that the program aims to enhance the MMS programming and planning knowledge and capacity of state and LGA nutrition stakeholders. The initiative also seeks to integrate A&T’s MMS support into the State MMS implementation plan for the second half of 2024, fostering appreciation for A&T MMS mandates and securing stakeholder buy-in.
Kwasu highlighted the significance of MMS in reducing malnutrition, noting that malnutrition contributes to one in five maternal deaths and nearly half of all child deaths under age five. She stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to maternal nutrition, which includes not only iron and folic acid supplementation but also nutritious, safe, affordable, and sustainable diets.
Mr. Olumide Faleke, Senior Technical Advisor for A&T, emphasized the critical role of maternal nutrition in ensuring healthy pregnancies and child development. He lamented the poor quality and nutrient deficiency in women’s diets worldwide.
Mrs. Ramatu Haruna, Kaduna State Nutrition Officer, commended A&T’s efforts and assured continued state government support for nutrition-related initiatives. Her Assistant, Blessing Maikano, represented her at the event.
Key officials, including Hajiya Aisha Muhammad, Director of Development Aid Coordination at the state’s Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), and Umar Bamballe, Project Manager of Kaduna Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP), underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing malnutrition.
Ms. Jessica Bartholomew, State Coordinator of CS-SUNN in Kaduna, reiterated CS-SUNN’s commitment to improving maternal and child health through advocacy and promotion of MMS for pregnant women. Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office, outlined UNICEF’s mandate to scale MMS in Nigeria and support the implementation of national guidelines on micronutrient deficiency control.
Mr. Olajimi Afeez of R4D shared that their projects across various states in Nigeria are focused on MMS-related initiatives, highlighting the broader commitment to enhancing maternal nutrition.
