8 December 2025 – The Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Consortium partnered with dsm-firmenich for a 45-minute webinar exploring how market-based models, innovative financing mechanisms, and public–private partnerships can accelerate the scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), a proven intervention to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The session, on 4 December 2025, from 10:00–10:45 CET, was moderated by Martin Mwangi, HMHB Program Lead, Micronutrient Forum, and featured cross-sector perspectives from:
- Lucie Klarsfeld McGrath, Partner, Hystra
- Lauren Lao, Technical Services Manager, Philippine Nutri-Foods Corporation
- Prosper Dakurah, Nutrition Manager, UNICEF Nigeria
- Lady Mary Dinah, CEO, Mary Dinah Foundation
The speakers discussed what’s working in MMS scale-up, sharing examples from country programs and innovative business models, as well as emerging financing solutions that can unlock sustained access to MMS in low- and middle-income settings. The conversation also highlighted the critical actions needed to accelerate progress in 2026 and beyond.
Participants had the opportunity to engage through interactive polls and a live Q&A, offering space to contribute insights and connect with peers advancing maternal nutrition globally.
WATCH THE RECORDING
Key Messages
1. MMS is evidence-based, safe, and cost-effective
- MMS outperforms iron–folic acid (IFA) on multiple maternal and newborn health outcomes.
- Over 46 countries are in various stages of transitioning from IFA to MMS.
2. Scaling MMS requires coordinated action across systems
To move countries from interest to implementation, alignment is needed on:
- Policy updates
- Financing strategies
- Predictable supply and procurement systems
- Demand generation
- Stronger governance and monitoring
3. Market-based models can expand access
Insights from Pakistan show:
- Up to 60% women seek supplements via private-sector channels, indicating the need for mixed delivery models.
- Barriers exist at every step of the user journey: late ANC visits, provider awareness, household decision-making, and adherence challenges.
- Pricing and packaging matter; affordability and preferred formats vary by context.
4. Local manufacturing and supply readiness are essential
From The Philippines:
- Strong policy coherence, clear technical specifications, and trained health workers are critical.
- Countries need robust supply chains; a lack of local production increases cost and limits flexibility.
- MMS is central to manufacturers’ strategies because UNIMAP provides global legitimacy and market demand.
5. Blended financing is a powerful tool to accelerate scale
From the Mary Dinah Foundation:
- Blended finance combines philanthropic capital, concessional loans, and private-sector investment to de-risk early adoption.
- The Maternal & Newborn Fund (USD 250M) aims to expand MMS in 21+ countries.
- Sustainable scale requires partnerships between governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
- Community strategies—like mother-to-mother groups—significantly strengthen adherence and programme reach.
6. Context matters for product registration and marketing
- MMS may be registered as a drug or a supplement, with consequences for taxation, pricing, and marketing regulations.
- Registration pathways differ by country and influence market-shaping strategies.
7. What countries can do now
Immediate steps for countries considering MMS introduction:
- Conduct feasibility assessments
- Begin regulatory and registration preparations
- Pilot procurement and supply chain mechanisms
- Strengthen public–private collaboration
8. What is most needed for 2026
Panelists highlighted:
- Expanding and coordinating financing—the top barrier identified in the webinar poll
- Tailored, context-specific approaches
- Improved policy and procurement clarity
- Stronger domestic systems for long-term sustainability