By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State government says it has finalised plans to collaborate with the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Federal Ministry of Health, on plans to tackle maternal and child micronutrient deficiencies across the state.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, stated this while speaking at a three-day training workshop on the development of a Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Implementation Plan in Port Harcourt.
She said the programme was designed to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children, adding that the administration considers their health as critical priority.
Oreh explained that MMS has proven globally to reduce maternal anaemia, support healthy fetal growth, and enhance childhood cognitive development.
She added that the workshop would enable stakeholders to examine existing gaps, review delivery platforms, and strengthen supply chain systems to ensure seamless implementation once the programme is rolled out statewide.
The health commissioner stressed that the workshop’s success would inform a realistic costing, proper budgeting, and effective coordination among government agencies and development partners.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Prof. Justina Jumbo, the commissioner observed that micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread in several communities, despite the established role of maternal nutrition in healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and proper early childhood development.
She said, “We are gathered here with a shared purpose to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children, a core priority of our development agenda.
“Maternal nutrition is central to healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and optimal early childhood development. Yet micronutrient deficiencies remain prevalent in many communities.”
While noting that MMS has been widely shown to reduce maternal anemia, support healthier pregnancies, improve fetal growth, and enhance cognitive development, Oreh stressed that its impact relies on solid planning, realistic costing, effective budgeting, and coordinated implementation.
She pointing out that the workshop offers a chance to assess existing gaps, evaluate delivery platforms, strengthen supply chain considerations, and develop an implementation plan that is practical, evidence driven, and sustainable.
Oreh added that the goal is not simply to produce another document, but to create a strategic roadmap that will guide decision-making, mobilize resources, and ensure that every pregnant woman in Rivers State has access to improved micronutrient nutrition.
She appreciated the partners, technical experts, and participants, stressing that their contributions over the next three days will be crucial in shaping a workable and impactful plan for the state.
