Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) says its ongoing awareness on newly rolled out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) has received notable acceptance from local authorities and expectant women.
MMS, an antenatal supplement that has replaced Iron Folic Acid (IFA), provides 15 micronutrients, including Iron and Folic Acid, all combined in a single tablet. The single tablet is consumed every day throughout the pregnancy period.
Publicist for Blantyre DHO, Chrissie Banda, said before the awareness, expectant women had little knowledge the supplements.
Shea added that, in collaboration with stakeholders such as chiefs and Area Development Committees, the awareness campaign has also helped in improving maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes.
MMS provides broader nutritional support than IFA to pregnant mothers, thereby reducing cases of miscarriages, low birth weight, infant mortality and premature birth, according to WHO.
The new supplement has less side effects in expectant mothers, including those with diabetes, high blood pressure and a history of miscarriage, WHO statistics show.
Blantyre is one of five districts in the country that are currently administering MMS to expectant mothers.
By Alufisha Fischer
