Appolonia Adeyemi 
…say improved funding key in boosting maternal, child nutrition
Key stakeholders in maternal and child nutrition have called on the Lagos State government to commit to counterpart funding for the procurement of multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS), saying donors are prepared to offer financial support.
Also, they urged the state government to prioritise nutrition funding as well as ensure timely release of approved resources for MMS procurement, and other nutrition interventions.
These are contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day policy dialogue on the role of MMS in preventing anaemia and addressing malnutrition organised by the Lagos State Committee on Food and Nutrition in partnership with Civil Society— Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). The communiqué stressed the need to address anaemia and other forms of malnutrition among pregnant women.
The meeting brought together government officials, civil society representatives, nutrition partners, healthcare professionals, and media personnel. The participants emphasised the importance of leveraging social media to educate pregnant women and mothers on the benefits of MMS.
They also called for the establishment of a task force to monitor the distribution and effectiveness of nutrition programmes. They further explained that MMS plays a crucial role in supporting maternal health and foetal development, making it particularly beneficial for pregnant women.
MMS, a vital nutritional intervention that includes 15 essential micronutrients such as vitamins A, B1–B12, C, D, E, folate, and minerals like iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, and copper, is critical for improving maternal health and foetal development.
These supplements have proven to reduce anaemia prevalence, enhance immune function, and support healthier birth outcomes, including a reduced risk of preterm delivery.
Studies have shown that MMS reduces the prevalence of anaemia, enhances immune function, and contributes to healthier birth outcomes, including improved birth weight and reduced risk of preterm delivery.
The participants noted the Lagos State Government’s recognition of CS-SUNN’s advocacy efforts and commitment to educating the public about the importance of nutrition, adding that there was a need to increase MMS availability and distribution to prevent anaemia among pregnant women.
The communiqué jointly signed by LSMOH/SNO, HAGAI, CAN, MSN/LOI, FHI 360 (Alive & Thrive), MeCAM, Lagos CS-SUNN, and MWAN Lagos, lamented that nationally, 40 per cent of children under five are stunted, with Lagos State reporting a stunting rate of 17.3 per cent, in addition, six per cent wasted and 14.3 per cent underweight.
The policy dialogue also called for stronger investment in maternal and child health to reduce anaemia, stunting, and malnutrition in Lagos State, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need for a healthier future.
Furthermore, they urged CS-SUNN and partners to follow up on the release of the matching fund of $100,000 for nutrition commodities approved by the Governor.
