Neglect of nutritional aspect of medical care calls for concern- LUTH CMD
Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of
Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has said that nutrition is an aspect of medical care that is neglected.
Adeyemo said this in Lagos on Thursday on the sidelines of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) conference.
The theme of the conference is “Advancing Clinical Nutrition Care: Regional Guidelines and Standards for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.”
The LUTH CMD, represented by Dr Ayodeji Oluwole, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), said that the WASPEN Clinical Conference is significant because the convener called the hospital’s attention to a significant area.
He said that with the conference, LUTH also launched a committee in charge of nutrition because nutrition is important to everyone.
The convener, Dr Teresa Pounds, the President/Founder of WASPEN, said the theme of the conference underscores collective dedication to elevate standard of practice in clinical nutrition.
She said that “the objectives of the conference are ambitious, yet attainable, to pilot clinical nutrition care programmes, develop nutrition support teams and training programmes, conduct trial research and establish systems for continuous improvement.
“Additionally, WASPEN seeks to address crucial issues such as product availability and affordability, as well as including clinical nutrition products in the National Health Insurance Authourity (NHIA) programmes.
Prof. Cyril Usifoh, the President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), who described the theme of the conference as “apt”, added that “a doctor might prescribe a drug for an ailment, but with inappropriate nutrition, the patient might not get favourable outcome.”
He expressed hope that government would make nutrition affordable, especially for vulnerable persons.
“When medical experts gather and discussed things, hopefully they take some of these messages home to the appropriate quarters, and might be able to see emergence of policy that would help the average Nigerian,” he said.
On her part, Ojei Onyebuka, Deputy-Director, Nursing Services, said that the conference theme reflected collective commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in clinical nutrition.
Onyebuka, also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), said that as experts navigate the complexities of healthcare, it is essential to prioritise the role of nutrition in prevention, treatment and recovery of patients.
She added that “we must continue to advocate evidence-based practices, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care.”
