Kano, Nigeria – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kano State government have announced a joint commitment to tackle the issue of anaemia in pregnancy, a significant health concern in the region. The pledge was made during a two-day stakeholders’ inception meeting aimed at scaling up Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in the state.
UNICEF has praised Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf for his decisive action in approving the immediate release of N500 million. These funds will be used to procure Ready To Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) for managing severe acute malnutrition among children under five years old. In a matching effort, UNICEF has committed to contributing an additional N500 million through the Child Nutritional Fund.
Speaking at the event, Oluniyi Oyedokun, the Nutrition Specialist from UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, highlighted the importance of MMS as a critical intervention for reducing anaemia and improving pregnancy outcomes. He emphasized the necessity for policymakers to prioritize the procurement of MMS, noting its role in saving the lives of pregnant women and future generations.
“MMS is a vital intervention globally for anaemia reduction and improved pregnancy outcomes. The government must act swiftly to ensure these supplements are available to those in need,” said Oyedokun. He called for a comprehensive approach to preventing anaemia, involving social behavioural change, the creation of an enabling environment for MMS acceptability, and active roles from government and policymakers.
The MMS scale-up project in Kano is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is currently benefiting only five states in Nigeria, including Kano. Oyedokun expressed gratitude for the support from Kano State’s health officials, particularly the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Labaran Yusuf, and Dr. Imam Bello, Director of Public Health in the Ministry, for their dedication to addressing nutrition and health issues affecting women and children.
Representing the Health Commissioner at the meeting, the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Shehu Shehu, thanked UNICEF and other partners for their prompt and ongoing interventions, particularly in primary healthcare for children and pregnant women. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to releasing N500 million to collaborate with UNICEF on procuring RUTF through the Child Nutrition Match Fund.
Dr. Muhammad Mahmood, Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, also expressed confidence that the MMS intervention would significantly reduce mortality rates among pregnant women. He lauded the resilience of UNICEF and other development partners in ensuring that Kano State benefits from the MMS project.
The meeting’s objectives included sharing the concept and deliverables of the MMS scale-up project, outlining the roles and responsibilities of partners, identifying ways to leverage government resources for MMS procurement, and developing a comprehensive work plan for implementation.
In a presentation titled “Nutrition Landscape Situation In Kano,” Dr. Imam Wada Bello expressed concern over the high rates of severe acute malnutrition among pregnant women and children under five in the state. He stressed the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and the need for exclusive breastfeeding, raising questions about the source of nourishment if the mother herself is anaemic.
The collaborative efforts of UNICEF and the Kano State government mark a significant step towards improving maternal and child health in the region, with a focus on reducing anaemia and malnutrition.
