Uganda

Anemia in pregnant women is still a significant public health concern, with a prevalence of 35% in 2023, while 10.84 % of women were underweight in 2022. Despite the high prevalence of anemia, the adherence to iron folic acid (IFA) supplementation tablets among pregnant women was quite low, with only 23 % who took at least 90 tablets or more during pregnancy in 2016. The impact of anemia during pregnancy can also be a major factor in impacting the country’s birth outcomes.

The Government of Uganda has demonstrated a strong leadership and commitment to transitioning to MMS, by establishing a national MMS Advisory Group that provides strategic input and guides implementation research to ensure an evidence-based and well-managed transition process. MMS is included in the key guidelines such as MYCAN, Essential Medicines List and Primary Health Care data collection tools including antenatal care register. Further a five-year Nutrition implementation and a costed MMS roadmap by Ministry of Health are being finalized. However, the country has not yet included MMS in the recurrent government budget for routine procurement.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners is conducting implementation research to assess how antenatal MMS can be effectively delivered within Uganda’s health system. This research aims to generate evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and impact, informing national policy decisions and scale-up strategies.

(Source: HMHB Survey 2021 – 2023, NutriDash, 2nd Africa Maternal Nutrition and MMS Meeting Report 2024, and HMHB Survey 2025)