Amid tightening global health budgets, governments are under increasing pressure to ensure that the investments they make are as high-impact as possible. Evidence-based policymaking has become a crucial part of this equation.
In Nepal, the government is paying close attention to maternal nutrition — a persistent challenge with wide-ranging consequences for families, communities, and the wider economy. Babies born to undernourished women are more likely to be premature or underweight, increasing the risk of complications in the earliest days of life. They can also face impaired physical and cognitive development, limiting their potential in adulthood.
While the various causes of maternal malnutrition are complex to address, one potential intervention is gaining traction. Since 2003, women in Nepal have received iron and folic acid, or IFA — two important nutrients that help prevent anemia and support fetal development — throughout their pregnancies. Now, the government is assessing whether a switch to a more comprehensive prenatal multivitamin — multiple micronutrient supplements, or MMS — could further improve health outcomes for mothers and babies alike. MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid, and has been proven to contribute to better pregnancy outcomes when compared to just taking IFA alone.
A study is currently underway into the acceptability and adherence to MMS among a sample of pregnant women in Lumbini province, southern Nepal. But translating these findings into national policy requires more than just evidence. It means mobilizing health workers, engaging pregnant women and their families, securing political backing at all levels of government, and overcoming logistical hurdles and financial constraints.
About the author
Naomi Mihara
Naomi Mihara is an Associate Editor for Devex, working on creative and audiovisual projects. She has a background in journalism and international development, having previously served as an assistant correspondent for Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun and as a communications officer for the International Organization for Migration in Southeast Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University.
