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UAE formulates guidelines for clinic dietitians

SHARJAH — The UAE in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) is developing national practice guidelines for clinic dietitians in healthcare settings so as to regulate the profession.

Currently, lack of competence and shortage of dietitians are among the key challenges facing the profession.

The guidelines are expected to streamline the working of dietitians and eventually benefit patients, especially those suffering from diabetes and obesity, said officials at the two-day consultation work shop held on 
Saturday.

The strategy will also complement the National Nutritional Strategy and Action Plan for 2010-2015 that has been drafted to improve the general well being of residents and address the burgeoning burden of diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

“At present most dietitians are implementing practices learnt during their education process due to the absence of professional guidelines,” said a senior health official.

“Currently there are no regional guidelines for organising clinical dietetic practice that will help member states to describe the responsibilities of a dietician and delineate safe dietetic practice in clinical settings,” said Dr Haifa Madi, Director, Health Protection and Promotion, WHO/Emro.

She said the presence of dietitians in hospitals and other healthcare facilities was aimed at providing nutrition therapy to patients according to the disease process.

“The presence of dietitians is relevant for the region and especially for the UAE where 24 per cent of the population is diabetic and need personal care,” she added.

Dr Madi also said dietitians play an important role in providing individual dietary consultations to patients and their family members and also conducting group education for other health workers, patients and the public.

Dr Ayoub Al Jawaldeh, Regional Advisor, Nutrition, Emro said that the responsibilities of a dietitian in hospital settings needed to be defined. “We will identify the key challenges the department is facing and develop the guidelines accordingly,” he said.

Head of the Nutrition Department at the Ministry of Health, Maysoon Al Shaer said that the licensing procedures were also among the key challenges facing dietitians in the country.

“Nearly 80 dietitians are working under the ministry at present but there is no authority to monitor them or evaluate their work,” she said.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com