The Kwara State government says its two-day capacity-building training aims to equip participants with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS).

The executive secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nusirat Elelu, stated this at a training organised by the agency for nutrition focal persons and maternal, child, and health (MCH) coordinators from 16 local government areas in Kwara.

The programme, held on Monday in Ilorin, was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

Ms Elelu said the focus is on improving maternal nutrition and strengthening antenatal care services across the state.

She reaffirmed the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Ms Elelu noted that the state government’s consistent investments in the health sector, especially in nutrition and antenatal services, were already yielding tangible results.

She said this was reflected in the 62 per cent reduction in anaemia prevalence among pregnant women in the state.

The executive secretary emphasised that improving nutrition during pregnancy remained a crucial strategy for achieving healthier mothers and babies.

She urged the participants to take full advantage of the training and cascade the knowledge gained to frontline health workers at the grassroots.

Ms Elelu also asked them to ensure effective integration of MMS into routine antenatal services across all health facilities.

The state nutrition officer, Gbenga Bankole, provided technical guidance on integrating MMS into the existing maternal health framework in the state.

He pointed out that MMS could help fill nutritional gaps, support overall health, and promote the development of mothers and their children.

A facilitator from the Federal Ministry of Health, Beatrice Ali, explained the importance of nutrition during pregnancy, saying it lays the foundation for a healthy baby.

Ms Ali enjoined mothers to consume foods rich in calcium, iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as to stay hydrated at all times.

(NAN)