Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Become a member

South Africa

Back to World Map
Outline of South Africa

Exploration phase to build an MMS enabling environment

South Africa was one of the first countries to provide MMS to all pregnant and lactating women between 2010 and 2016. Removal of MMS from the national essential medicines list in 2016 led to discontinuation of provision. Several organizations, including Sight and Life and Vitamin Angels, have supported efforts to explore reestablishing an MMS program in the context of the 2020 WHO recommendation. Sight and Life carried out a supply readiness assessment in 2015 and a policy and programmatic review of MMS in 2019. Building on these insights, Sight and Life conducted additional research to understand barriers of uptake and adherence as well as women’s preferences around product attributes. Sight and Life will support the set up of a local production hub and an MMS working group with the ultimate goal of market-based introduction and distribution of MMS.

  • Regions (Provinces/Districts): 6 states
  • Start Date: 2010
  • End Date: ongoing

National partners

17 program partner organizations are supporting MMS-related activities.