The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with key global organisations, has delivered 3 million bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to Nigeria in 2024 to tackle maternal health challenges.
The announcement, made in a statement sent to Africa Health Report (AHR) on Tuesday by UNICEF Communication Officer, Anike Alli-Hakeem, also confirmed that an additional 3 million bottles will be distributed in 2025 to further assist pregnant women across the country.
Despite these efforts, experts caution that with 12 million pregnancies annually, there is an urgent need to scale up MMS availability to address the nation’s maternal health crisis.
“Ensuring pregnant women receive the necessary micronutrients is vital for reducing maternal mortality and improving child health,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria. “This donation underscores our commitment to supporting the Nigerian government in prioritizing maternal health nationwide.”
The Nigerian government has taken significant steps to address maternal nutrition, including the inclusion of MMS in the Essential Medicines List and investments in local production. “These efforts are key to ensuring sustainable access to MMS,” stated Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health.
Founder of Kirk Humanitarian, Spencer Kirk, expressed pride in the initiative, emphasising that MMS at scale improves pregnancy outcomes. UNICEF continues to collaborate with global partners like the Gates Foundation and Kirk Humanitarian to provide vital nutrients for healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes.
