Expectant mothers in Nyamira County have been urged to sustain the uptake of iron and folic acid food supplements in order to reduce maternal deaths related to malnutrition.
Speaking during a health workshop for opinion leaders in the area at a Nyamira hotel, Dr Alkato Nyanga’u, a nutritionist, said that failure for expectant and breastfeeding mothers to observe a balanced diet was detrimental to their health and that of the children.
Nyanga’u said the Ministry of Health was on a campaign to sensitise the public on iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS).
The initiative also targeted healthcare providers, community health workers and male leaders, and trained them on ways of reducing anaemia in pregnancy in order to lower the risks of maternal and neonatal deaths.
Speaking to HiviSasa.com in during an interview, Dr Nyanga’u said that the programme aimed to reduce deaths caused by malnutrition among women and newborns.
“I want to encourage all families to provide for all expectant mothers foods rich in iron and folic acids in order to end this menace of maternal deaths”, said Nyanga’u.
He encouraged families to plant and consume more fruits and green vegetables which are a good source of iron and folic acids.
Nyanga’u called on every homestead to at least have one kitchen garden where they can get plenty of green vegetables which are essential to body immunity and development.