By Auwal Musa Umar
The need to establish internship center for Dietitians at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) to reduce the large number of graduates who could be absorbed due to the lack of accredited centre in northern Nigeria has been emphasized.
The President, Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Kano State Chapter, RDN Auwal Musa Umar made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), AKTH, Professor Abdurrahman Sheshe on Thursday.
The executive members of the association were at AKTH to congratulate Prof. Sheshe on his appointment as CMD and to strengthen, gratify and reanimate the professional relationship between the hospital and the association.
According to Auwal Musa the visit was a part of activities designed to celebrate the annual National Nutrition Month with focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habit.
The Month of March is set aside to Celebrate World Registered Nutritionist Dietitians and to promote their activities to the public and the media as a valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information.
Auwal said the activities for this year include a seminar on the importance of Dietetics in the hospitals and quiz competition among all universities/colleges offering Nutrition and Dietetics course within Kano State.
Staff from the Nutrition and Dietetics Department should be given opportunity to further their studies and build their capacity professionally for the benefits of the society, he advocated.
Responding, Prof. Sheshe who was highly delighted to know that the association existed in Kano, said AKTH is ready to work with the association for the betterment of the good people of Kano State and Nigeria at large.
“The functions of the hospital involve research, partnership, collaboration, training and management of different diseases,” the Prof. added.
He said students need to have place for training in the hospital for the purpose of producing professional Dietitians who can proffer solutions as well as design approaches for the management of patients in the hospital.
The importance of Nutrition and Dietetics cannot be overemphasized; “we are working hard with the Bayero University Kano to move the course from the Basic Medical Sciences to Allied Health Sciences because is a pure clinical course,” he said.
Prof. Sheshe promised to work with Bayero University Kano to commence internship for Dietitians at AKTH.
“Staff who wants to further their studies should forward their names through the appropriate channel for consideration, “he added.
He appreciated the visit and the efforts of the association to build good relationship with the hospital and encouraged them to do more for the benefits of the society.
The IDN President was accompanied by top executive members of the Association including the Sectary Genera Auwal Aliyu Ahamadl, Chairman Board of Trustees, RDN Mallam Muratal Inuwa, member Board of Trustees, RDN Hajiya Dije Kabara Rt, Chief Editor, Mallam Zaitun Mahmud Aminu and other members.
