What is Medical Nutrition?
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a therapeutic approach to treating medical conditions and their associated symptoms via the use of a specifically tailored diet devised and monitored by a registered dietitian or professional nutritionist. The diet is based upon the patient's medical and psychosocial history, physical examination, functional examination and dietary history.
NHSL Medical Nutrition Unit History:
This is the newest addition to the Clinical care services provided by the NHSL. It was established on 16/10/2014.Currently this was conducted by MSc qualified four medical officers in Human Nutrition and the administrative supervision is carried out by the Deputy Director – NHSL and the technical supervision is assign to Dr. Renuka Jayatissa , the Consultant Nutrition Specialist. This unit is established at the OPD Building complex.
Telephone extension - 2919
Working hours – 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday
8am – 12 noon Saturday
Functions of the unit
Patient Specific Services
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Detailed nutritional assessment
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Detailed dietary history and analysis of diets
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Setting nutritional goals.
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Tailor made nutrition care plan- enteral or parenteral
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Nutrition counselling
Other nutrition related services
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Nutrition related research
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Organizing nutrition related educational programmes and skill developmental programmes.
Referring system
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Referrals from the OPD
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Referrals from clinics
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Referrals from Wards / ICU
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Referrals from DMH/ CASTLE Street Hospital for Women/ Renal Unit – Maligawatta.

