Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
As a step to boost the nutrition component, Family Health International (FHI360) – Alive & Thrive and other partners have been lauded for supporting the Bauchi State Government in the development of the (2025 – 2029) Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) Costed Implementation Plan for the Rolling Out and Scaling Up of the Use of MMS in Bauchi State.
The intervention of FHI360 Alive & Thrive spearheads efforts on MMS in pregnant women and the commitments made by the Bauchi State Government in developing the implementation plan for MMS, towards enhancing maternal health and ensuring safe deliveries.
The 4-day development workshop for the MMS costed implementation plan, held in Jos, Plateau State, brought together diverse stakeholders to deliberate on key issues, generate innovative ideas, and collaboratively develop actionable work plans for effective implementation in the state.
According to Mr. Asimobi Chidiebere, State Coordinator of Alive & Thrive FHI 360, the project has implemented a range of activities to boost MMS uptake in the state. These include training, resource development, radio broadcasts, and jingle sponsorships, designed to inform caregivers, husbands, and community members about the advantages of MMS for expectant mothers.
“As part of our mandate, we’ve been collaborating with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board to enhance PHC services, focusing on nutrition. Specifically, we’ve implemented various interventions to boost MMS uptake and acceptance through multiple communication channels.”
He revealed that the organization involved Bauchi in the material conceptualization process, where the state represented the North East region in a development workshop held in Lagos. “This ensured that the MMS materials were developed with community ownership and tailored to reflect local norms and values”, Asimobi added.
He also noted that they trained two program officers to serve as master trainers, in line with the national requirement that each state have two technical training officers. These master trainers are expected to provide skills and knowledge to other key stakeholders, supporting the effective implementation of MMS across the state.
He appreciated the participation of the Bauchi State House of Assembly’s Health Committee and Food Security and Nutrition Committee, noting that despite their busy schedules, they were able to contribute to the development of the MMS implementation costed plan.
Mr. Chidiebere called on the Bauchi State Assembly to provide legislative backings for the MMS costed plan by allocating funds in the budget process. He emphasized that this would enable pregnant women to access the essential commodities in health facilities across the state, significantly improving their care.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed emphasized that developing a costed work plan for MMS is crucial in reducing maternal mortality among pregnant women.
Dr. Mohammed highlighted that “Many women suffer from pregnancy complications due to inadequate nutrition, which can lead to mortality”. He emphasized that introducing MMS for pregnant women would be a significant benefit to mothers, improving their health outcomes and reducing mortality risks.
The Executive Chairman noted that the MMS costed implementation work plan, developed with support from Alive & Thrive and UNICEF, marks a significant step in complementing Nutrition International’s research project on MMS adherence in Dass, Ganjuwa, and Giade LGAs.
Participants included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, other health-related MDAs, and development partners.