MCHIP hosted two symposiums (in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Johannesburg, South Africa) on introduction of calcium supplementation to prevent pre-eclampsia in countries with low calcium intake. Program staff and expert panel presenters discussed global scientific evidence on the impact of calcium supplementation in light of recent WHO guidelines. The MCHIP nutrition team provided guidance on implementing maternal calcium supplementation programs, building on experience with anemia control programs.
The Program’s original market research and pilot on calcium supplementation in Nepal, which was presented at the Nutrition Symposium in Johannesburg, provided operational information for calcium introduction in other countries. At the meetings, the MCHIP team and country-level program participants identified next steps for introducing calcium and issues to consider when operationalizing calcium supplementation, given country-level constraints, interest and funding.