Include micronutrient supplements in national, state medical essential lists – Project
The Alive and Thrive project working under the FHI 360, with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has said that preparation to ensure the inclusion of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in the national medicine essential list is ongoing and nearing conclusion. This was disclosed by the Alive and Thrive Team Lead Kano, Dr Ashiru […]
The Alive and Thrive project working under the FHI 360, with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has said that preparation to ensure the inclusion of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in the national medicine essential list is ongoing and nearing conclusion.
This was disclosed by the Alive and Thrive Team Lead Kano, Dr Ashiru Hamza Muhammed, during a one-day orientation meeting in Kano for the state’s nutrition stakeholders.
He explained that recent findings have revealed that a lot of maternal and infant mortality cases were found to be directly or indirectly connected to poor nutrition, adding that to avert such preventable occurrences, there is a strong need for action to be taken hence the move to include MMS in the essential medicine list of the nation as well as that of the states to save lives.
He added that preparations have gone far in developing a policy that will ensure the inclusion of MMS in the essential medicine list at both state and national levels.
He said there is a need to demonstrate rapid improvements in infant and young child feeding in the states and nation in general hence the need for the orientation of the nutrition stakeholders in acquiring the necessary skills, as well as to be more informed and proactive in nutrition service delivery.
In his address, the Director, Family Health at the State Primary Health Care Management Board (SPHCMB), Dr Ahmad Tijjani Habib, stated that good nutrition, as well as effective administration of the right micronutrients, will address the issue of anaemia, especially in pregnant and lactating mothers.