Nigeria Grapples with High Anemia Rates Among Pregnant Women

A staggering 58% of pregnant women in Nigeria suffer from anemia, contributing significantly to maternal and child mortality, according to Alive and Thrive, a non-governmental organization

Dr. Auwalu Kawu, Senior Technical Adviser, revealed this alarming statistic at a media dialogue in Kano, citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) from 2018 to 2024.

To address this issue, Dr. Kawu advocates for the use of Multiple Micronutrients Supplements (MMS) to prevent pregnancy complications caused by nutritional deficiencies. MMS contains 15 essential nutrients, ensuring safe delivery and a healthy baby.

The Nigerian government, in collaboration with state governments, aims to provide MMS to all pregnant women, tackling challenges faced during pregnancy.

Key Initiatives:

– Providing MMS to address nutritional deficiencies and complications

– Complementing Iron Folic Acid (IFA) with additional 12 nutrients

– Collaborative effort between federal and state governments

– Raising awareness through media partnerships

Stephanie Dada, Deputy Country Director of Alive and Thrive, emphasized the crucial role of media in promoting MMS awareness to reduce maternal deaths.

By encouraging pregnant women to take MMS at health facilities, Nigeria can tackle anemia and improve maternal health outcomes.