Vision

All residents making healthy food choices.

Mission

To reduce and alleviate nutrition-related disease and death, through the promotion of proper nutrition and the modification of dietary practices.

Overview

In 1995, Adelma Roach, then Chief Dietician at Princess Margaret Hospital, New Providence, was seconded to the Department of Public Health’s Maternal & Child Health Programme to assist with the Infant Mortality Reduction Project. This eventually led to the establishment of a Nutrition Unit in 1998.

In 1997, the Nutrition Unit expanded its services to include the prevention and treatment of diabetes. A pilot programme was initiated at the Flamingo Gardens Community Health Clinic. Diabetes Nutrition Management Care is now in 2 additional clinics - Fleming Street and Elizabeth Estate Community Health Clinics. Services emphasise preventive, as well as therapeutic nutrition.

As a part of its new focus, the unit further seeks to provide education on scientific and applied aspects of nutrition.

In 2002, the Ministry of Health met a major milestone and was proud to launch the New Dietary Guidelines for The Bahamas.

Proper nutrition is a cornerstone of overall well-being during all stages of life. The thrust of the Nutrition Unit is to provide quality nutrition services in the primary health sector to residents with a broad range of nutritional needs. However, special consideration is given to those affected by nutrition related illnesses and those “at-risk” for the same, such as, pregnant women, infants, children, adolescents, older persons and persons living with HIV and/or AIDS.

Nutrition contributes significantly to the economic growth of a country. The Bahamas is now experiencing disease patterns similar to those of more affluent nations: Incidences of diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity are rising.

The Ministry of Health has thus found it necessary to shift its emphasis from contagious diseases to chronic non-communicable diseases – all of which are considered predominantly “lifestyle diseases”. Even more resources are being dedicated to the promotion of good health through nutrition and primary prevention.

Nutrition services provided to the community are routinely accessed via the Community Health Clinics and hospitals. Trained nutritionists are a part of the team approach used to deliver overall and comprehensive health coverage.

Related links:

• School Health Nutrition Workshop
• Diabetes Nutrition Management
• National Dietary Guidelines
• Review of Dietary Guidelines
• World Diabetes Day "EXPO"

For more information, please contact:

Nutrition Unit
Department of Public Health
Poncianna Hill Building
Meeting Street
P.O. Box N-3730
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 502-4844
Fax.(242) 502-4874
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays