FETHI , Hosts 2022 IDN Annual Scientific Conference

The Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria(IDN), Ekiti State Chapter (a professional platform for all registered Dieticians in Nigeria) & Member of the ICDA(International Confederation of Dieticians Association), has held its annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, at the Mini-Conference Hall of Federal Teaching Hospital on Wednesday, 19th October, 2022.

Earlier, giving her welcome address, Dtn. Adedoyin Ajayi( IDN Chairman, Ekiti State) ,having unveiled the theme for the 2022 Nutrition Pre, During and Post Hospital Admission”, stated that the Annual Scientific Conference, was a platform where all members of the Institute, non-members, Nutritionists and Dieticians in Ekiti State, come together yearly to refresh their knowledge with the current best practices of Nutrition & Dietetics.

She further, acknowledged the immense support of the ebullient Chief Medical Director (FETHI), Prof. Kunle Ajayi for been a great host for the 2022 conference, and also his support towards the sucess of the programme.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, giving his goodwill remarks, welcomed the Dignitaries and participants to the ceremony and FETHI, a centre of excellence where Dietetics practice is concerned .

Thereafter, he commended the members of the Ekiti State Chapter (IDN), for constantly supporting their Chairman, as he urged them to continue in their strides to be agents of change for the better.

The guest speaker Dtn.Tunde Ajobo from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, while giving his scientific presentation, defined food as an ‘object of pleasure for some, an effective remedy for others, in addition to providing energy, with established scientific evidence, that some nutrients in our diet are agents that cause or cure certain diseases’.

The guest speaker, posited that a healthy diet is vital to our overall health, while demonstrating the nutritional roles of an individual, family and community at the different stages of Hospital Admission Before Admission,

During Admission; according to research, 20%-80% among hospitalized patients tend to deteriorate during their hospital stay, caused by lack of appetite during acute disease, surgery pain and effects of medication and
After Admission; the need for nutritional care post-discharge, during the healing process in preventing loved ones from returning to the hospital in future.

Dtn. Ajobo, thereafter highlighted a number of barriers for nutritional therapy in the transition between hospital and home. They are ;

Education (Lack of training,experience and expert assistance);

Organisation (Lack of follow-up, common guidelines and interactions by experts);

Economic( Short hospital stay, unclear payment for PN).

Concluding, he recommended that education of patients and their care givers about nutrition support must begin before discharge with proper monitoring post admission to prevent re-admission.

Other activities that took at the ceremony were; Aerobic exercises, conducted by Physiotherapist Makinde (to maintain cardiovascular fitness and endurance); a Technical Session on ” Nutritional Assessment in Pregnancy”, presented by Dtn. Sola Ayodeji; and Award of Certificates to Participants; Questions & Answers.

Dignitaries also present to grace the ceremony were; Barr.Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed Esq. (IDN National President); Mr. E.B. Jegede (Perm. Sec. Ekiti Local Government Services Commission), Mrs.Yemi Olayisade (Head of Department, Accounts & Finance); among prominent others.

Giving the vote of thanks, the Local Organising Chairman, Dtn. Adebayo Tomilola, thanked the CMD for his contributions to the success of the programme and the organizers of the conference, for their cooperation.