Distribution of micronutrients to pregnant and lactating women at Alagarno village, Fune LGA, Yobe State, Nigeria.
As the International Congress of Nutrition (ICN 2025) concluded last week in Paris, the Mary Dinah Foundation (MDF) used the global platform to spotlight a transformative initiative set to redefine maternal and newborn health in underserved regions worldwide: the Maternal and Newborn Fund (MNF).
The $250 million fund is dedicated to improving the lives of millions of pregnant women across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by providing the nutritional support essential for healthy pregnancies and stronger newborns. By focusing on maternal nutrition—a proven determinant of maternal and child survival—the Fund aims to address some of the most urgent gaps in global health.
At the heart of MNF’s work is its flagship programme, BirthStrong, which seeks to reach over five million pregnant women by 2030. The programme delivers evidence-based nutritional interventions that significantly reduce maternal anaemia, prevent low birthweight, decrease preterm births, and save newborn lives.
A key element of BirthStrong is the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS). Compared with traditional iron-folic acid supplements, MMS provides a broader spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals tailored specifically for pregnancy. More than two decades of research demonstrate that MMS improves pregnancy outcomes more effectively than iron-folic acid alone, earning endorsements from both WHO and UNICEF.
Beyond supplement provision, MNF works to strengthen health systems by partnering with governments, local agencies, and international organisations to integrate maternal nutrition into antenatal care and community health services. This approach ensures that interventions are sustainable, locally led, and fully aligned with national health priorities.
In her remarks at ICN 2025, MDF founder, Lady Mary Dinah, underscored the transformative potential of MNF and BirthStrong in improving maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide: “A nourished mother brings life not only to her child, but to her community.”
With ICN 2025 bringing maternal nutrition to the center of global health conversations, MDF’s call to action now extends to policymakers, practitioners, and development stakeholders to recognize maternal nutrition as a cornerstone of healthy societies and a high-impact investment in the future.
