Hotlines: +233-(302) 739510 (Main) / (244)-406700 info@kbth.gov.ghGA-221-1570

Nutrition & Dietetics

 

Welcome to the Nutrition and Dietetics Department

At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Nutrition and Dietetics Department is dedicated to providing high-quality therapeutic and advisory services. Our goal is to manage, prevent, and improve various health conditions while promoting overall wellness. With evidence-based dietary management and personalized nutrition interventions, we support patient care and empower individuals to make informed dietary choices. Through education and a collaborative approach, we also enhance healthcare delivery within our hospital.

Core Functions and Services

Our department provides essential nutrition therapy services, available through medical referrals and walk-in consultations. We offer outpatient services from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Our team of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists is assigned to different hospital departments to deliver specialized care, ensuring comprehensive support for a variety of patient needs.

Specialized Services Include:

  • Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Specialized meal preparation during outbreaks to meet patients’ nutritional needs.
  • Palliative Care: Offering nutritional support to improve the quality of life for end-of-life patients.
  • Family Medicine & Outpatient Department (OPD): General nutritional counseling for a wide range of health conditions.
  • Community Engagement: Promoting healthy eating habits through radio, TV, social media, and print media.

Nutritional Management of Specific Conditions

We provide tailored dietary interventions for a wide range of conditions:

  • Diabetes & Hypertension: Developing nutrition plans to manage blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • Dyslipidemia: Addressing abnormal lipid levels with specialized nutrition strategies.
  • Weight Management: Creating personalized plans for both underweight and obesity management.
  • Geriatrics: Tailoring diets to meet the unique needs of elderly patients.

Surgical Nutrition

We ensure optimal nutritional status before and after surgery to promote healing and recovery, including:

  • Pre & Post-Surgical Nutrition: Ensuring patients are nutritionally prepared for surgery and recover efficiently post-operation.
  • Neurological Nutrition & Rehabilitation: Providing dietary support for patients with neurological conditions.

Specialized Nutrition Services

We cater to various medical specialties and conditions:

  • Hepatology Nutrition: Managing nutrition for patients with liver conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
  • Enteral Feeding (Tube Feeding): Overseeing nutrition for patients requiring feeding tubes.
  • Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders): Developing specialized diets for patients with swallowing difficulties.
  • Malabsorption: Addressing nutrition plans for patients with malabsorption syndromes.

Child Health & Pediatric Nutrition

We provide comprehensive nutritional care for children, including:

  • Malnutrition: Addressing nutritional deficiencies and promoting healthy growth.
  • Pre-natal Intensive Care Unit (PICU): Supporting the nutritional needs of premature infants.
  • Child Welfare Clinic: Guiding parents on optimal nutrition for children’s health and development.
  • Childhood Oncology: Managing nutritional support for children undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Sickle Cell: Tailoring nutrition for children with sickle cell disease.

Special Clinics and Medical Nutrition

We offer specialized nutrition support for various conditions:

  • Renal Nutrition: Tailoring diets for kidney disease patients.
  • Stroke Nutrition: Aiding recovery and preventing recurrence through diet.
  • Cardiovascular Nutrition: Creating heart-healthy diets for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
  • Gastroenterology Nutrition: Addressing gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcers, and reflux disease.
  • Diabetes Management: Developing dietary strategies to control blood sugar.
  • Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN): Managing intravenous nutrition for patients unable to eat.
  • Dialysis Nutrition: Providing dietary support for patients undergoing dialysis.

Obstetrics & Gynecology Nutrition

Our department also provides dietary support for women’s health, including:

  • Gestational Diabetes: Managing diabetes during pregnancy with specialized nutrition.
  • Reproductive Health: Supporting nutritional needs related to reproductive health.
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Creating nutrition plans to manage PCOS symptoms.
  • Pre & Post-Pregnancy Care: Offering dietary guidance before and after pregnancy.
  • Gynecology Nutrition: Supporting various gynecological conditions.

Oncology Nutrition

We offer dietary support for cancer patients:

  • Breast Cancer: Tailoring nutrition for those undergoing treatment.
  • Head & Neck Cancer: Providing nutrition support during cancer treatment.
  • Prostate Cancer: Offering dietary guidance for prostate cancer patients.
  • Leukemia: Managing nutritional needs for leukemia patients.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre

Our team provides nutrition support for patients in the following areas:

  • Burn Injury: Ensuring proper nutrition to support healing after burns.
  • Wound Healing: Designing diets that promote effective wound recovery.

Special Cases & Therapeutic Cookery

We offer nutritional support for a variety of unique conditions:

  • Eating Disorders: Offering support for patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other eating disorders.
  • Vegan Nutrition: Guiding individuals on following a balanced vegan diet.
  • Obesity: Developing personalized weight management plans.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: Managing nutrition for patients with conditions like constipation and diarrhea.
  • Infectious Diseases: Providing nutritional support for conditions like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19, monkeypox, and Ebola.

Therapeutic Cookery:

We provide a variety of therapeutic diets, including:

  • Liquid Diets (F-75, F-100)
  • Semi-Solid Foods
  • Family Meals

Our team ensures that each inpatient receives a nutritionally adequate diet tailored to their diagnosis, and we also create comprehensive diet charts to help meet individual nutritional needs.

Training and Education

The Nutrition & Dietetics Department is dedicated to training the next generation of clinical dietitians and nutritionists through BSc, MSc, and MPhil programs with clinical rotations and internships. We also provide specialized training for Family Medicine doctors to enhance their understanding of nutrition in patient care.

Our Team and Leadership

Our department consists of licensed and accredited professionals, including:

  • Registered Dietitians (RD): Experts in food and nutrition, responsible for developing nutrition programs and managing disease through diet.
  • Registered Nutritionists & Technical Officers (RN): Focused on health promotion and educating vulnerable groups.
  • Biostatisticians: Maintaining patient records for research purposes.
  • Dietetic Interns: Graduates gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of registered dietitians.
  • Dietetic Technicians & Assistants: Supporting the team in delivering high-quality nutritional care and meal preparation.

At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, our Nutrition and Dietetics Department is committed to providing exceptional care, empowering patients to achieve optimal health, and promoting wellness through personalized nutrition interventions.