Nutrition stakeholders in Bauchi State have been oriented by Alive & Thrive (A&T) fhi360 on promoting the uptake and utilization of Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS).
A&T organized the One-day training session for key stakeholders, including the State Nutrition Officer (SNO), 20 Nutrition Focal Persons (NFPs) from Bauchi State, and A&T subgrantees.
During the opening remarks, Isah Sani, Director of PHC at the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, highlighted the orientation’s timeliness amid alarming national malnutrition rates and anticipated nationwide MMS implementation. He encouraged participants to engage fully with the training.
In his remarks, Asimobi Chidiebere, the Bauchi State Team Lead for Alive & Thrive, emphasized that empowering stakeholders with crucial knowledge and skills will enhance nutrition indices, strengthen the Primary Healthcare (PHC) system, and support universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Asimobi Chidiebere also noted that the training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to promote MMS effectively through facilities and community channels, thereby reinforcing the health system.
The programme also focused on raising community awareness about MMS, addressing acceptance barriers, improving MMS programming and planning skills, and integrating A&T’s MMS support into the state’s implementation plan for the latter half of 2024.
Dr. James Oloyede, STA Nutrition from A&T, presented on the FHI360/A&T approach to MMS programming, covering benefits, its relation to anemia, diagnosis and treatment of anemia, MMS adherence, and storage methods.
After the presentations, participants had the chance to ask questions, which were addressed by the presenters.
The training also included discussions on MIYCN/MMS Monitoring and Data Management at both facility and community levels, with a focus on A&T’s community-level approach using existing ward structures.
State Nutrition Officer, Abubakar Salah affirmed MMS’s value, noting it contains 13 to 15 essential micronutrients and serves as an effective, safe, affordable, and preventive intervention for improving maternal nutrition.
Participants praised A&T for the orientation, noting it aligned their knowledge with colleagues who have already been implementing MMS-related programs.
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