ECF Invests in Maternal Health Research in Nepal with MMS program

The Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) has generously invested $1.2 million in Helen Keller Intl to initiate a project introducing Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for expectant mothers in Nepal, to support implementation research. This endeavor aligns with the vision of Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to ensure that pregnant women receive adequate nutrition throughout the country. MMS is a prenatal supplement, which is proven to be both safe and effective in enhancing nutrition for pregnant women, contributing to their children's long-term health.

A significant portion of Nepal's female population faces micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate nutrition, infectious diseases, and other contributing factors. Expectant mothers with such deficiencies face a heightened risk of maternal mortality, and their offspring are more likely to experience poor birth outcomes. Despite considerable progress over the past two decades, Nepal's maternal mortality rate remains high at 151 deaths per 100,000 live births. Moreover, nearly one out of every ten children in Nepal is born with low birth weight, a condition that can result in malnutrition. Helen Keller Intl intends to examine barriers and opportunities for integrating MMS into Nepal's antenatal care system – ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes for millions of pregnant women and their babies.

Anil Neupane, Nepal Country Director at Helen Keller Intl, stated: "Investing in maternal health and nutrition through evidence generation on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation is crucial for enhancing the well-being of both expectant mothers and their children." He expressed profound gratitude to the Eleanor Crook Foundation for their invaluable support in furthering this research in Nepal.

In Nepal – as well as numerous other low- and middle-income nations – pregnant women often face micronutrient deficiencies that can lead to an increased risk of preterm birth and early pregnancy loss. For many years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the provision of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements for pregnant women to mitigate these risks. However, IFA supplementation alone is insufficient to address all nutritional needs of expectant mothers, as it only targets two deficiencies. Conversely, MMS comprises 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including both iron and folic acid. Notably, three recent reviews have demonstrated that MMS has a comparable impact on anemia as IFA, but is more effective in improving birth outcomes, particularly among anemic and underweight women.

Although Nepal's healthcare system currently endorses IFA for pregnant women and has an effective IFA implementation program in place, the country continues to struggle with a significant burden of micronutrient deficiencies. In response, Nepal's MoHP has expressed strong interest in this MMS initiative. Over the subsequent 24 months, Helen Keller Intl will conduct implementation research in three of Nepal's seven provinces to assess how well pregnant women adapt to taking MMS.

Dr. Bibek Kumar Lal, Director of the Family Welfare Division at the Nepal MoHP, remarked: "This new collaboration on MMS offers a tremendous opportunity to enhance the nutrition of women and children in Nepal." He added: "We eagerly anticipate working with all involved partners to ensure the success of this initiative."

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, William Moore, CEO of The Eleanor Crook Foundation, said: "MMS holds the potential to save millions of children's lives globally; yet, regrettably, very few expectant mothers in low- and middle-income countries have access to this vital supplement." Moore added: "We are delighted to partner with Helen Keller Intl in supporting the Government of Nepal's efforts to implement MMS. It is imperative that we eradicate this double standard and provide every pregnant woman with high-quality prenatal vitamins – regardless of their geographical location.