The Ministry of Health has called on pregnant women across the country to adopt Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), citing growing evidence that the supplements significantly improve maternal nutrition and infant health outcomes.
Speaking on the benefits of MMS, Ministry of Health nutrition expert Sula Kaggwa said the supplements provide stronger protection against pregnancy-related complications compared to the traditional iron and folic acid tablets.
Kaggwa noted that pregnant women who use MMS are less likely to give birth to babies with low birth weight, with cases reduced by 12% to 14%.
He added that the supplements also lower the risk of preterm births by up to 8%, stillbirths by 8%, and small-for-gestational-age births by about 9%.
He further explained that the benefits are even more pronounced among women who are anaemic or underweight. In these groups, MMS has been shown to reduce low birth weight by 19% and cut infant mortality in the first six months of life by nearly 30%.
According to Kaggwa, MMS not only improves birth outcomes but also supports healthier infant development.
Babies born to mothers who take the supplements tend to have better weight and length measurements up to six months, larger head circumference up to one year, and improved overall nutritional status during early life.
Health experts also say the supplements help reduce the risk of stunting, underweight growth, wasting, and other forms of early childhood malnutrition. They argue that expanding access to MMS during pregnancy could strengthen maternal and child health while contributing to improved educational and economic outcomes in the long term.
Meanwhile, health authorities continue to encourage expectant mothers to attend antenatal care services, where they can receive nutrition guidance and appropriate supplementation for healthier pregnancies and improved infant outcomes.
By Our Reporter
25th June 2026
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