By Sunday John
Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have commended the state government for releasing N125 million as counterpart funding for the supply of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to address anaemia.
Anaemia is a condition characterised by a deficiency of red blood cells or haemoglobin, resulting in fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath, and can be fatal if untreated.
The stakeholders, including Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), pregnant women, Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) staff and officials of the Ministry of Health and Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), gave the commendation on Wednesday during a visit by CS-SUNN to Tudun Kauri PHC in Lafia.
They said that the visit was to assess the impact of interventions by government, civil society organisations and development partners in tackling anaemia.
Mr Jonah Aboki, CS-SUNN Coordinator in the state, said the funding reflected government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and reducing the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age and children.
Aboki, who described anaemia as a major public health concern, said the condition remained a leading cause of maternal and child mortality.
He expressed satisfaction with government’s efforts, noting that the intervention would significantly address the challenge, especially given the high cost of the supplements.
The coordinator, however, appealed to the government to release the balance of the counterpart funding to enable PHCs across the 147 electoral wards in the state to access sufficient supplies.
“If every pregnant woman attending antenatal care in any PHC in the state receives the complete MMS dosage for six months, it will go a long way in reducing maternal mortality,” he said.
Mr Usman Obadiah, Deputy Director, Nutrition and Diarrhoea Control, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, said the government had already released half of the funds and was making efforts to release the balance for procurement of MMS.
He added that although there was a shortage of MMS, the state had sufficient supplies of folic acid and other supplements that were also essential in preventing anaemia.
Also speaking, Mrs Salamatu Isa-Chiroma, Deputy Director of Nutrition at NAPHDA, acknowledged the shortage but expressed optimism that supplies would soon improve following government’s intervention.
She said that the agency would issue a circular to PHCs directing that complete MMS dosages be given to pregnant women in line with recommended standards for effectiveness.
“Even where there is a shortage, our staff should ensure that complete dosages are given to beneficiaries, while others can be placed on substitutes until supplies improve,” she said.
Mr Abdulmumuni Aliyu, nurse in charge of the facility, confirmed the shortage of MMS but said substitute supplements had been provided to ensure the safety of pregnant women and their babies.
Aliyu added that pregnant women attending antenatal services at the facility were receiving MMS and other supplements due to sustained awareness campaigns by health workers.
Two expectant mothers, Blessing Joseph and Rakiya Mohamed, commended the professionalism of the health workers, particularly during antenatal care and delivery services.
They, however, expressed hope that adequate MMS supplies would soon be available to enable beneficiaries receive full recommended doses. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Isaac Ukpoju
