Expectant mothers decry micronutrient supplements scarcity in Bauchi
By Ahmed Kaigama
Some pregnant women in Bauchi have expressed concern over the acute scarcity of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in maternity clinics in the area.
They said this during a media interactive session with a team of health advocates and primary healthcare workers organised by a group, CS – SUNN at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Kofar Ran, also known as Urban Maternity, Bauchi.
MMS is critical in the prevention of iron deficiency, improving maternal nutrition and supporting healthy pregnancies.
Ladi Sani, a pregnant mother, decried scarcity of the supplements in health facilities, adding the trend was exposing pregnant women to complications associated with anaemia, including fatigue, weak immunity and risks maternal and infant health.
She alleged that maternity clinics either exhausted their MMS supplies or resorted to rationing due to scarcity, forcing pregnant women to miss recommended doses.
Another pregnant woman, Sadiya Garba, urged government agencies and development partners to ensure steady supply and equitable distribution of the supplements, for improved maternal health outcomes.
Also, Dinatu Bulus, a health worker, called for increased awareness creation activities to educate women on proper nutrition, early antenatal registration, and consistent supplement uptake, to reduce anaemia-related complications.
A health worker, who pleaded anonymity, said shortage of MMS supplements portend negative health implications.
She said antenatal attendance was high at the facility ranging between 70 and 160 women on booking days, adding that lack of MMS supplements for the newly registered clients posed a major challenge.
“Anaemia symptoms are being observed in about 30 per cent of pregnant women, a figure previously declined when MMS supplies were stable,”.
The expert advised expectant mothers to maintain balanced diets using local varieties such as spinach, moringa, beans, and vegetables, for healthy pregnancy. NAN
