The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) participated in the workshop to Validate the Road Map for Implementation of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in Tanzania, held from 19–22 May 2026 in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health organized the workshop.

The gathering brought together government representatives, researchers, development partners, implementing organisations, and technical experts to review and strengthen the national roadmap for the implementation and scale-up of MMS in Tanzania.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Director of Ifakara Health Institute, Dr. Honorati Masanja, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of collective action in improving maternal and newborn nutrition and health outcomes. 

He noted that the wide participation of stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to addressing micronutrient deficiencies, which continue to contribute to maternal anaemia, low birth weight, poor pregnancy outcomes, and child morbidity.

Dr. Masanja further highlighted MMS as a key intervention for strengthening maternal and child nutrition services and improving outcomes for pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. He described the workshop as an important platform for reviewing progress, identifying opportunities, addressing implementation challenges, and defining practical strategies for scaling up MMS nationwide.

Ifakara’s contribution

Ifakara Health Institute is part of a consortium comprising the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC). The consortium is supporting the Government of Tanzania in developing a roadmap to scale up MMS for pregnant women and introduce low-dose calcium as part of maternal nutrition services delivered through antenatal care.

As part of this work, Ifakara contributed to the costing of the MMS implementation roadmap in collaboration with government and partner institutions. The process involved close technical engagement to estimate the resources required for effective and sustainable nationwide implementation of MMS interventions.