The Oyo State Government has launched a statewide multiple micronutrient supplementation programme aimed at improving nutrition among pregnant women, reducing anaemia and supporting healthier pregnancy outcomes.
The initiative targets 160,000 pregnant women monthly across the state’s 33 local government areas. Supplements are to be distributed through antenatal care services at government health facilities, as part of efforts to improve access to essential nutrients during pregnancy.
The programme is being implemented by the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, with technical support from Evidence Action. It expands efforts to address nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to complications for pregnant women and their babies.
Speaking at the launch in Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said poor dietary intake leaves many pregnant women vulnerable to health risks. She said the supplements would help provide nutrients needed during pregnancy and support efforts to prevent anaemia and other complications.
Multiple micronutrient supplements, commonly called MMS, combine iron, folic acid and 13 other essential vitamins and minerals in a single daily tablet. The approach provides a broader range of nutrients than iron and folic acid supplementation alone.
Evidence cited by the programme indicates that MMS can reduce low birthweight by 12 per cent compared with iron and folic acid supplementation alone. The supplied figures also indicate an eight per cent reduction in stillbirths, although outcomes depend on effective delivery and use of the supplements.
Anaemia remains a significant maternal health concern in Nigeria. Evidence Action reports that about 45 per cent of pregnant women in the country are affected, increasing the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, said the initiative would strengthen efforts to tackle malnutrition among women and children. He pointed to the importance of early identification of nutritional needs and improving access to essential nutrients through routine healthcare services.
Evidence Action is expected to support the programme through technical assistance, supply-chain management and training for antenatal care workers. These measures are intended to help health facilities maintain supplies and provide appropriate guidance to pregnant women.
The programme’s reach will depend on consistent availability of supplements and their integration into antenatal services across the state. The government’s stated monthly target places maternal nutrition at the centre of its current public health intervention.
Deborah Adeyefa
