GENERAL HOSPITAL, SOMOLU MARKS WORLD Y2024 WORLD DIETITIAN/NUTRITIONISTS DAY

In a bid to raise awareness about the importance of proper nutrition for mothers and children ages six months and above, the Dietetic and Nutrition Department of the General Hospital Somolu recently organised a food demonstration at the Immunisation ground of the Hospital as part of activities marking the Y2024 World Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists Day.

The Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Dr Babalola Dokun Ogungbemile, who declared the event open, applauded the department for its continual emphasis and sustainability efforts on the need to eat well.

Ogungbemile, who restated the importance of farming to a farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, said that dieticians and nutritionists are committed to improving the health of their patients, clients and communities around the globe.

The Head of the Department, of Dietetics and Nutrition at the Facility, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adewunmi, while performing the food demonstration, said that many children become malnourished because most mothers do not know the right steps to take when the time comes for them to wean their children.

While demonstrating the early introduction of semi-solid food for toddlers in the presence of mothers who brought their babies for immunisation, she advised that a combination of plant and animal protein cooked and blended with potatoes will be perfect for six-month-old babies. 

She discussed the theme of World Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists Day by enlightening the mothers on the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, imploring them to be conscious of the food they purchase for themselves and their babies in the market.
Adewunmi further encouraged them to go for whole and healthy fresh food items, avoiding withered vegetables, spoiled meat/fish and mouldy/stale grains. 

The Head Of Department also spoke on unhygienic food preparation, enjoining mothers to maintain optimal hygiene when preparing complementary foods for their children. She maintained that an infant’s immune system is still developing, thus their foods must be free from contaminants to prevent infection and malnutrition in children.

According to her, the way we start our lives nutritionally influences our long-term health. When babies are given a balanced diet, they will have the right nutrients to fight any infection.