Workshop on nutrition and counseling ends

A five-day workshop on nutrition and counselling support for People Living with HIV (PLWA) and Tuberculosis (TB) patients organised for 23 health personnel in the Western Region, ended at Takoradi on Friday.

It was organized by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) with support from the Family Health International, a health-related body, and the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance.

Participants from the Sefwi Wiawso and Bibiani Government Hospitals, included clinical officers, pharmacists as well as nutrition, disease control, data officers and storekeepers attended the event.

Mr. Emmanuel Badiena, Deputy Western Regional Nutrition Officer of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said PLWA and TB patients were easily pre-disposed to malnutrition because HIV and TB put very high toll of energy requirement and other nutrients on them.

He said malnourished PLWA and TB patients stood high risk of running down physically as a result of infections.

Mr. Badiena said the workshop aimed at training health personnel to identify malnutrition among PLWA and TB patients, to enable them to appropriately counsel and support their clients.

He said officials at health centres would educate PLWA who access anti-retroviral therapy and TB patients on the appropriate nutrition for them.

Mr. Badiena said: ‘’therapeutic foods known as Plumpy Nut is used to treat patients who are severely and very malnourished, and ‘’fortified blended flour is used to manage those who are moderately malnourished.”

He said Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Tarkwa Government Hospital and Half Assini Government Hospital in the region have the capacity to provide nutrition and counselling support for TB patients and PLWA.

Others were the Saint Martin de Porres Hospital at Eikwe, Saint John of God Hospital at Sefwi Asafo, Axim Government Hospital, Wassa Akropong Government Hospital, Bibiani Government Hospital and the Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital.

Source: GNA