YADAM Deliver Key note Speech at Multiple Micronutrient Supplements Evaluation Dissemination and Roadmap Launch Workshop
Addis Ababa, December 4, 2025 – H.E. Demeke Mekonen, Founder and Board Chair of the YADAM Foundation, delivered a keynote address at the launch of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) Roadmap. This pivotal event, organized by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at enhancing maternal and child health through scaling up Multiple Micronutrient Supplements initiatives.
In his keynote address, H.E. Demeke articulated the essential role of nutrition in fostering human development, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life. He underscored that these early stages are vital not only for individual health but also for the broader socio-economic development of Ethiopia. H.E. Demeke emphasized that the roadmap is not merely a technical document; it embodies a commitment from Ethiopia to model the effective integration of MMS into healthcare practices. This ensures that all mothers and children can benefit from this essential nutritional intervention.
For the roadmap to achieve its objectives, H.E. Demeke called for sustained advocacy efforts to secure the necessary resources from both domestic and international partners. He urged the health sector to prioritize maternal nutrition within national budgets and policies, recognizing its crucial role in overall national development. Furthermore, he appealed to development partners and donors to increase their investments in nutrition-related initiatives, asserting that “every dollar invested in nutrition yields significant returns in the form of healthier children and stronger communities—an investment in our future and in the development of human capital.”
In conclusion, H.E. Demeke reaffirmed the commitment of the YADAM Foundation to play an active role in advocacy efforts at both national and sub-national levels. He highlighted the shared vision of ensuring that every mother has the opportunity to give birth to healthy children capable of reaching their full potential and contributing meaningfully to society.
