Role of Dietitians/ Nutritionists in the Health Care System emphasised
6TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE DIETITIANS’ ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA
6th Annual Sessions of the Dietitians Association of Sri Laka was held on 27th March 2022 at Hilton Residencies with the participation of its members, Dietitian / Nutritionists and intern Dietitians as well as representatives from the Nutrition field. Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services was the Chief Guest of the inauguration Ceremony. Several presentations were made by the experts in the field of Dietetics and Nutrition.
Dr. N.M.S.Hettigedara, while delivering the Presidential Address mentioned that the Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka (DiASL) which was established in the year 2012, is a professional body for practicing dietetic professionals in Sri Lanka in the field of health. He stated that the topic “Dietitians’ Approach to Reduce Health Care Cost Through Proper Nutrition Practices” was selected as the theme of the 6th Annual Session considering the alarming rate of increasing healthcare cost in Sri Lanka along with economic crisis and the considerable commitment of Dietitians/ Nutritionists to find solutions for this situation.
He mentioned that, the profession of Dietitian/ Nutritionist has been classified under one of the health worker category by the World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation and in Sri Lanka the profession has been given the legal status by Sri Lanka Medical Ordinance to distinguish it from medical profession.
Explaining the role of Dietitians/Nutritionists he mentioned that, the dietitian is the professional that translates scientific information on nutrition into practical advice with a view to supporting and guiding the people to make health-conscious decisions about food. Dietitians assess, diagnose, and treat diet related problems and aim to raise awareness of the link between food and health to prevent future health problems. The responsibilities of the Dietitian/ Nutritionist include educating and advising the patients with diet related disorders, advising on the practical ways in which they can improve their health, conducting group sessions to a range of audience, educating other healthcare professionals on food and nutrition issues, advising hospital catering departments about the specific dietary requirement of patients and working as a part of multidisciplinary team to gain patients’ cooperation in dietary treatment.
Already the research carried out in Sri Lanka has proved that the complications of diabetic patients as well as their requirement of dialysis can be remarkably reduced through providing suitable diets to them. While quoting several research findings in the world, he emphasised the importance of involvement of Dietitian/Nutritionist in cost reduction in the health care system. This can be achieved through reduction of hospital stay and re admission, reduction of malnutrition through proper nutrition plan, and non-pharmacological intervention with dietary guidelines.
He further mentioned that, when the high cost of renal replacement therapy and dialysis are considered, it was obvious that the Dietitian/Nutritionists are playing an extensive role in contributing to reducing the cost of health in our country. The Dietitians have an essential duty to prevent and control NCDs and other diseases and to provide an effective and efficient service to the patients with cost effective health care system.
Although, the dietetic professionals have adequate theoretical as well as practical knowledge and competent enough, their professional service is being neglected and underutilised when compared to other countries. They are performing a great service to the country, but they are not paid well. This is a pathetic situation and he said that, according to their qualifications the Dietitians should be placed in par with Scientific Service.
While concluding he stated that, the authorities have an obligation to increase the cadre in the field of health in order to utilise the services of dietitians and to generate a healthy nation. It will pave the way to reduce the enormous expenditure involved in the health sector and reduce the burden to national economy while the quality life of patients could be improved. As the tendency is for the well qualified Dietitians to leave the country for better paid foreign jobs, the Government should also take action to retain their services by remunerating them well in par with other services. He emphasised that, this important objective can be achieved only through proper strategic planning and preparation by the concerned authorities.