The Ogun State Government has recommended the inclusion of nutritional care in government hospitals and health facilities across the State in order to provide a comprehensive foundation for health care delivery.
The Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro, gave this recommendation during a familiarisation and assessment tour to health facilities in Remo zone.
Dr. Aigoro, in a statement signed by the Board’s Press Officer, Mrs. Temitope Adeleye, said every hospital with bed wards was expected to include nutritional care for in-patients, reiterating that diet is an important element in the overall care, recovery and well-being of patients, irrespective of the duration of hospital admission.
The Permanent Secretary who noted that Nutritionists and Dieticians were posted to hospitals across the State, to ensure better nutritional care of patients, assured that his agency would set standards that would be achievable over a period of time for their facilities, enjoining all to uphold the standard and maintain professionalism.
On her part, the Director, Health Services, Dr. Folasade Fasina, said proper refuse disposal system should be adopted to discourage scavenging and reuse of clinical materials, urging the hospital staff and patients to imbibe hand washing practice.
The Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officers of the State Hospitals in Iperu, Ishara and Ilishan, Dr. Babatunde Olorundami, Dr. Bankole Durojaiye and Dr. Elizabeth Olumade respectively, lauded government’s efforts towards revamping the health sector across the State, stressing that the benefits provided by adequate and balanced nutrition cannot be overemphasized.
