Makueni County has become the first in the country to officially roll out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), marking a major milestone in the fight against maternal anaemia. The launch was held on Friday at Makindu Sub-County Hospital.
The supplements, packaged in doses of 180 tablets, are to be taken once daily over a six-month period. Each tablet contains 15 essential nutrients designed to address the high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women and reduce the risk of maternal deaths.
Despite nearly universal access to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among women attending antenatal clinics, many still present with anaemia at the time of delivery. This condition significantly increases the risk of excessive bleeding during childbirth.
According to County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joyce Mutua, investigations revealed that many women found IFAS unpleasant due to its taste, which often caused nausea and reduced adherence.
Unlike IFAS, which contains only two nutrients, the new Multiple Micronutrient Supplement combines 15 essential nutrients in a single tablet. This formulation is expected to improve compliance among expectant mothers while meeting their broader nutritional needs.
During pregnancy, a woman’s daily iron requirement increases significantly. However, many existing supplements provide insufficient iron and lack complementary nutrients that enhance absorption and utilization in the body.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who presided over the launch, praised Vitamin Angels through the Transforming Lives initiative for partnering with the county to integrate MMS into antenatal care services.
She noted that the implementation science-driven initiative positions Makueni at the forefront of advancing maternal nutrition interventions, setting a precedent for other counties to follow.
By Anthony Solly
