The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is among the highest in the world, with an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, even as the country director, Vitamin Angels, Nigeria, Dr Francis Ohanyido has advocated for the roll out of Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS), a formulation of multi vitamin for pregnant women as identified by the United Nations to help pregnant women have a better value in terms of nutrition for themselves and their children
Ohanyido said micronutrients like Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, B12, folic acid and Minerals: iron, zinc, iodine, copper, and selenium, could lead to serious health issues.
For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that a lack of iron, folate and vitamins B12 and A, can lead to anaemia, a condition in which there is a reduced number of red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration, causing fatigue, weakness, shortage of breath and dizziness.
