This supplement will be launched under his Gates Foundation.
Gates spoke of this plan during his visit to the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, where he met with President Prabowo Subianto ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation.
"We have evidence that we call a multiple micronutrient supplement for pregnant women as a substitute for those who only consume folic acid and amino acids," Gates noted in a statement at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
He described this product as a multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS), which contains a range of vitamins and micronutrients essential for foetal development.
Gates noted that Indonesia will be among the first countries to launch the supplement due to its ongoing struggle with malnutrition.
Gates acknowledged that many women suffer from anaemia and amino acid deficiencies.
"Our foundation offers an approach through this supplement to fix anaemia. Hence, over the next year or two, we plan to launch it in Indonesia," he revealed.
Based on information from the Gates Foundation's social media, MMS supplements have been proven safe and effective in preventing malnutrition in pregnant women and their babies.
MMS tablets are said to contain 15 vitamins and minerals important for pregnancy and are priced at US$2.60, or Rp43 thousand, based on Wednesday's exchange rate.
In addition to the micronutrient supplement, Gates' visit to Indonesia also aims to discuss global health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure with President Prabowo Subianto.
Prabowo highlighted that one of the topics discussed with Gates during their meeting at the Merdeka Palace, on Wednesday, was the TB vaccine trial in Indonesia.
Gates Foundation is currently funding research and trials of the tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, which has entered the clinical trial stage in several countries, including Indonesia.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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