22 April 2026 – The Convening on Measurement and Monitoring of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), jointly organized by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Micronutrient Forum’s Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) Consortium from 21-22 April in Washington D.C., USA, brought together government and partners from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines, with global technical experts, implementing partners, researchers, and donors to discuss how national information systems must adapt to effectively monitor the introduction and scale-up of MMS at a time when more than 30 countries are exploring a transition from iron folic acid (IFA) to MMS as the standard of care in antenatal nutrition.
Building Consensus on Monitoring as a Core Pillar of MMS Scale-Up
Opening sessions emphasized that monitoring and measurement must be recognized as a core pillar of MMS introduction and scale-up. Presentations and discussions explored how countries can adapt existing administrative systems and household surveys to track stock availability, delivery, coverage, adherence, equity, and quality of care.
Country spotlights showcased practical experiences from Nepal, where monitoring considerations are embedded in the national MMS roadmap, as well as perspectives from Ethiopia and Rwanda on managing data needs during program transition. Throughout the meeting, participants reflected on lessons learned from IFA programs and how these insights can inform stronger MMS monitoring systems.
Exploring Data Systems, Adherence, and Supply Chains
Over the course of the convening, sessions examined the full range of data sources relevant to MMS monitoring, including logistics management information systems, health management information systems, facility surveys, and large-scale household surveys such as DHS and LSMS.
Technical discussions addressed global monitoring initiatives such as NutriDASH, supply chain monitoring during the transition to MMS, and evidence on measuring coverage, quality, and pill adherence. Findings from research and validation studies in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jordan, and India highlighted both innovations and ongoing challenges in capturing reliable and actionable data for program decision-making.
Diverse Participation Bridging Policy, Practice, and Research
The convening drew a diverse group of more than 50 participants representing national governments, multilateral agencies, research institutions, civil society organizations, and donors. Government representatives from the ministries of health of Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines shared country perspectives on MMS introduction and monitoring priorities.
Multilateral and global agencies were represented by experts from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the Global Financing Facility, UNRWA, and major global survey programs, including the DHS Program (ICF) and the Living Standards Measurement Study. Implementing and technical partners included Helen Keller International, Nutrition International, Vitamin Angels, JSI, FHI 360, and Results for Development.
Academic and research expertise was contributed by faculty, researchers, and graduate students from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the University of Rwanda, among others. Philanthropic and financing perspectives were provided by the Eleanor Crook Foundation and the Gates Foundation, ensuring that discussions on measurement were closely linked to sustainability and resource mobilization.
This broad participation enabled cross-learning between countries at different stages of MMS adoption and strengthened alignment across institutions working on policy, implementation, data systems, and funding.
From Country Priorities to Collective Action
On the second day, country-led breakout discussions enabled participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda to identify priority gaps in monitoring systems and articulate specific needs for guidance, technical assistance, and implementation research. These priorities informed synthesis panels on integrating monitoring systems into MMS scale-up frameworks and on financing measurement and evaluation as part of national roadmaps.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advance a coordinated, country-driven agenda for MMS monitoring and measurement. Participants emphasized that robust data systems are essential not only for tracking progress, but also for ensuring that MMS programs deliver equitable, high-quality nutrition services to pregnant women at scale.
Photo credits: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and HMHB
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