Bhutan

Bhutan, a mountainous kingdom in South Asia, has made significant strides in maternal and child health, yet micronutrient deficiencies remain a concern. Specifically, there has been no progress in reducing anemia among reproductive-age women (WRA).1 According to the Bhutan National Health Survey 2023, 33.3% of pregnant women were anemic in 2023, and 3.4% of women of reproductive age were underweight in 2022. Birth outcomes show persistent vulnerabilities: 6.9% of low birthweight, and an infant mortality rate of 15.2 per 1,000 live births in 2023, with only 5 stillbirths recorded in 2021. These outcomes persist even though 87.2% of women had more than 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits and substantial public health investments. These indicators reflect the need for more comprehensive nutritional interventions during pregnancy.

In response, Bhutan’s Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with UNICEF and Vitamin Angels, launched a national Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) program in May 2024, integrating it into routine antenatal and postnatal care. This MMS package, included in the comprehensive maternal nutrition and child health (CMCH) program, aims to reduce maternal anemia, prevent prematurity, low birthweight, and intergenerational stunting. (2026)