By Kemi Olatunde
The Acting Medical Director of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) and State Hospital, Akure Complex, Dr. Adesina Akintan, has called on stakeholders to prioritise adequate and balanced nutrition as a cornerstone of public health and sustainable development.
He made the call on Thursday while speaking with Weekend Hope during the commemoration of World Food Day at the hospital premises in Akure.
According to him, good nutrition is fundamental to human well-being, stressing the need for collective commitment to fighting hunger and promoting sustainable food systems.
Akintan commended stakeholders for their continued efforts, describing their participation as “a vital step in the journey towards a healthier and more food-secure world.”
He noted that nutrition is not just a health issue, but also a social responsibility, urging people “to take issues of adequate and balanced feeding very seriously.” He further emphasised the importance of daily dietary awareness in preventing malnutrition and related diseases.
The Acting Medical Director called on communities, governments and international partners to work together to ensure universal access to nutritious food.
World Food Day, marked annually on October 16, commemorates the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and seeks to raise awareness about global hunger, food security, and the importance of healthy diets.
In her presentation titled “Nourishing Lives Hand in Hand: The Role of Dietitians in Promoting Better Foods for a Healthier Future,” the Head of Department, UNIMEDTH/State Hospital, Akure, Dietitian Bukola Arowolo (PhD.)’, explained that the global theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” aims at ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable food systems.
She described Dietitians as vital partners in nourishing lives and stated that with stakeholder support, “together, we can build a healthier, food-secure future.”
Arowol described food as not just fuel but a symbol of connection, culture, and health, noting that the future depends on what people eat today. “When we nourish lives, we build healthier generations,” she said.
She emphasised that nourishing lives hand in hand involves shared responsibility, calling on government to invest in the Dietetic workforce, implement national food-based guidelines, and support community nutrition programmes.
Arowol further urged communities to embrace adequate diets, value Dietitians as health partners, and preserve traditional healthy foods. She advised Dietitians to lead with evidence and compassion, advocate for public health education on nutrition, and innovate with local foods and sustainability.