Alive & Thrive fhi360 organizes orientation for Bauchi nutrition stakeholders on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation in pregnancy

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A cross section of participants at the training

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Nutrition stakeholders in Bauchi state have been given orientation and sensitization by Alive & Thrive fhi360 on promotion of uptake and utilisation of Antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in an effort to create demand for the service.

In this endeavor, A&T conducted a one-day orientation training on MMS for state stakeholders, SNO, 20 Nutrition Focal Persons (NFPs) of Bauchi State, and A&T subgrantees.

The success of the initiative according to the Alive & Thrive, State Team Lead, for Bauchi State, Asimobi Chidiebere depends on empowering key stakeholders with adequate knowledge and information that will enhance their skills for effective demand creation and fortify the PHC system to support robust service delivery to achieve universal health coverage and SDG.

While declaring the orientation open, the Director of PHC, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Sani Isah stated that the programme was so timely as the malnutrition in the country is alarming and urged participants to ensure they understood the presentations.

Speaking further Chidiebere stated that the selected individuals are playing pivotal roles in supporting health workers to deliver essential nutrition services, thereby reinforcing the health system.

The orientation aims at equipping participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills for the effective promotion and uptake of MMS through IPC during ANC, G-ANC, PNC, R.I sessions, and community outreaches.

Also, the goal was to enlighten communities about the importance of MMS and to address barriers to acceptance and adherence.

The activities, accomplishments, and deliverables of the programme included the One-day MMS Orientation by A&T which took place in Azare with 33 participants from 20 LGA NFPs ( 1 from each LGA in the state), 4 stakeholders from the state (DPHC, SNO, SM&EO and PM SEMCHIC/SMCH) 4 Subgrantees ( 2 each from each organization) and A&T staff 2 from the state and 3 from the CO (STA MIYCN & SUD and M&O).

The objectives of the Training were to repare the state and LGA nutrition stakeholders to understand MMS programming and A&T’s MMS plan, help A&T understand state healthcare provider training structure/plan.

It is to improve State and LGA Nutrition stakeholders MMS programing/planning knowledge and skills respectively
Help state and LGA nutrition stakeholders appreciate A&T’s MMS mandates and support as well as securing nutrition stakeholder by-in
Integrate A&T’s MMS support into State MMS implementation plan for the second half of 2024.

There was presentations on the FHI360/A&T approach to MMS programming by A&T STA-Nutrition by- Dr James Oloyede to enlighten participants on how FHI360/A&T plans to implement the uptake and adherence of MMS in the state after which he took the participants on micronutrient supplementation in Nigeria, benefits of MMS, MMS and Anemia, Diagnosis/treatment of anemia, up-take of supplementation, MMS adherence, side effects and safety of MMS, and Method of storage.

After the two sessions, participants asked questions and all questions were clarified by the presenters.

The STL took participants through a presentation with detailed explanation on MMS introduction/background, maternal (nutrition and nutritional needs during pregnancy, national vs state nutritional status, nutrition intervention & uptake, the key drivers of anemia, poor maternal nutrition and methods of improving maternal nutrition)

The (meaning of STA SUD and TO-M&E) presented the MIYCN/MMS Mentoring and Data Management at the facility level with the participants and at the community level with the Subgrantees.

The STA MIYCN and STL informed the stakeholders present the A&T approach on MMS uptake and adherence at the community level with the use of already existing structures from each ward in the state.

Some agreed action points are that each LGA NFP to provide the state team with list of 1 amin PHC per ward and liaise with community structures through the LGHA to identify and share contact information of 1 CV per ward.

The STL closed the orientation with a vote of thanks to participants and presenters and a group picture while the State Nutrition Officer stated that the MMS is very good as it contains about 13 to 15 m of the benefits of the MMS.

It was emphasised that MMS is a safe, efficacious, affordable, and cost-effective as one of the interventions to improve maternal nutrition and serves as a preventive intervention that should be provided to pregnant women.