Department of Human Nutrition

Head: -currently unspecified- (Assistant Director Human Nutrition)

Dietetics Division

The department aims to provide optimal nutrition support to all in-patients as well as outpatients. The department comprises a principal dietician, 2 senior dieticians and 6 junior dieticians who are responsible for managing the division. These dieticians represent all the academic institutions in South Africa that provide training for dieticians, thus forming a broad base of clinical knowledge and expertise. The cultural diversity of the division allows to provide a multilingual service to the community.

The following services are rendered throughout the hospital:

• Nutrition counselling and supplementation at outpatient clinics eg general dietetic clinic, neonatal follow-up, renal clinic, CP clinic and Cardiac clinic.
• Nutrition support and counselling in all wards and sections eg paediatric, surgical and medical.

Other projects in include:

• CBR (community based rehabilitation) workgroup that is busy compiling a resource list of the community to able to serve patients better.
• A weight loss programme in conjunction with the physiotherapists
• HIV/Aids workshops for parents/caregivers with children who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids.

The department is actively involved in training which include:

• 4th year dietetic students from Pretoria University
• 5th year medical students from Wits University
• Newly appointed nurses
• RAU community nursing students
• Medical staff