This session on maternal nutrition, ‘The unfinished agenda of maternal malnutrition and its impact on birth outcomes“ was organized by HMHB at the FIGO World Congress 2021. This is an on-demand pre-recorded session (S-178). This session aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the relationship between maternal malnutrition and birth outcomes, share the evidence on the impact of maternal nutrition interventions ready to scale up including multiple micronutrient supplementation on birth outcomes, and share country experiences related to the integration of MMS in antenatal care services. It features global experts in maternal nutrition, who will each focus on one key area of maternal malnutrition and MMS.

Topics and Speakers

The framing of the discussion and closing remarks are by Dr. Saskia Osendarp, Executive Director, The Micronutrient Forum. Speakers and topics are as follows –

1. The evidence on maternal nutrition & multiple micronutrient supplements – Dr. Parul Christian, Director, Human Nutrition Program, and Associate Chair, Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
2. MMS Policy and Program experience of Bangladesh – Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Line Director, NNS, HPNSP, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh
3. Implementation research to enhance introduction and effectiveness use of MMS in four countries – Nita Dalmiya, Maternal Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF New York
4. Policies and practice related to nutrition-quality in Antenatal Care- Dr. Amy Pollack, Director Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

This short film shows how Makenge Thethe from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in her ninth month of pregnancy struggles with her workload, nutrition and health care needs and how multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) can help improve her health.

This short film depicts the struggles of Jahanara from Tongi Township, Bangladesh, during her pregnancy in accessing nutrition-rich food and health services.

HMHB hosted an online side event at the 7th Annual Agriculture Nutrition and Health (ANH) Academy Week during the Research Conference from  28 to 30 June, which covered a range of hot-topic discussions. The HMHB session, titled, ‘Accelerating the integration of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) into antenatal care services’ was held on 30 June. The aim of this session was to increase understanding regarding policy advocacy and implementation research related to the introduction of MMS based on country experiences. The session highlighted the scientific evidence of MMS, an evidence-based, cost-effective, and affordable intervention to improve maternal nutrition and birth outcomes. The event was moderated by Dr. Martin Mwangi, Program Lead, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Consortium.

Speakers and topics were as follows:  

1. Maternal nutrition: scope and scale of the issue – Dr. Martin Mwangi, HMHB, Micronutrient Forum 
2. Advocacy & situational analysis, Cambodia – Hou Kroeun, Helen Keller International, Cambodia 
3. Implementation research – Mali – Adama Mamby Keita, JHPiego 
4. Implementation research approach ­– Ashutosh Mishra, Vitamin Angels, India

This film depicts the struggles of Shabana and Parveen from Mumbai, who work outside and inside their homes to provide for their families despite being heavily pregnant. They lack access to adequate food and nutrition, as well as health and nutrition services.

In this poignant film, Shakuntala, a dedicated health worker, recounts the struggles faced by pregnant women in Aurangabad, including social barriers, in having safe and healthy pregnancy experiences.

This film tells the story of Agurash from Habru, Ethiopia, a woman in the third trimester of her pregnancy. She shares her challenges in accessing healthy food and the nutrition services she needs for herself and her unborn child.

This Coffee and Chai Chat with Dr. Martin Mwangi, Dr. Quassa Sanogo, and Dr. Tanuja Rastogi introduces the Advocacy Toolkit for Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) to equip national actors to introduce MMS at the country level.

This FAQ brief addresses frequently asked questions on MMS.

This Advocacy Brief is meant to equip champions and decision-makers to advocate for safe, affordable, and cost-effective nutrition interventions, particularly multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) to improve maternal health.