#EmpowerHer #EmpowerAfrica Many countries are shifting from considering the adoption of multiple micronutrient supplementation for #pregnant women to planning for its large-scale implementation. They are moving beyond proof of impact, pilot projects, and demonstrations and leveraging implementation science to inform effective implementation and scale-up. There has been significant progress since #HMHB's 2023 meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with many countries now taking charge of their own #MMS agendas and collaborating through a community of practice. The 2nd Africa Maternal Nutrition and MMS Meeting in Nairobi has moved the conversation forward to concrete actions. Key takeaways: 👉 The MMS scale-up process is flexible, non-linear, iterative, and varies by country. 👉 MMS should enhance #maternalnutrition services in the context of antenatal care, and not be delivered as a siloed intervention. 👉 Various financing mechanisms and planning tools like UNICEF’s Maternal Nutrition Acceleration Plan and the Child Nutrition Fund can help countries advance and scale women’s #nutrition programming including MMS. 👉 #HMHB can connect countries to existing technical and financial tools and resources. 👉 Country-specific factors, such as delivery platforms, local production, regulatory environment, and policies, are critical. While there is no one-size-fits-all, best practices can be shared. 👉 Government ownership from the outset, evidence-based advocacy, and national Technical Advisory Groups on MMS are critical to ensure long-term sustainability. 👉 Supply, manufacturing, and procurement are key components of an MMS introduction and scale-up strategy. 👉 Implementation research findings, case studies on delivery strategies, and social and behavior change or demand generation can inform MMS programming. “MMS is not just a supplement – it is a statement of our values. It affirms our commitment to giving every child the best start in life.” - George Ouma, African Development Bank Group.
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