2nd Africa Maternal Nutrition Meeting Kicks Off in Nairobi Focusing on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation

𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 – The 2nd Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting opened today in Nairobi, bringing together experts and policymakers from across the continent to strengthen efforts toward improving maternal and child health through nutrition. 

The three-day event, hosted at the Radisson Blu Hotel, aims to build consensus on scaling up the implementation of MMS across Africa. This intervention is recognized for its potential to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, improve pregnancy outcomes, and deliver long-term health benefits for women and children. 

Speaking at the opening, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muriuki, represented by Dr. Sultani Matendechero, acting Deputy Director General in the State Department highlighted the importance of maternal nutrition in promoting healthy pregnancies and reducing preventable deaths. 

She emphasized Kenya’s progress in tackling child stunting, as well as the country’s plans to conduct a national micronutrient survey to update key health data and refine nutrition interventions. “Maternal nutrition is central to the well-being of our communities, and this meeting provides an opportunity to collaborate and accelerate progress across the continent,” PS Muriuki noted. 

The meeting, organized by the Micronutrient Forum and the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) Consortium, aligns with Africa Union’s commitments under the Abidjan Declaration and is focused on scaling MMS and strengthening partnerships to ensure better health outcomes for mothers and children across Africa. Ends