DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Grace Magembe, has asked the country’s nutrition professionals to provide accurate and standardized nutrition education to the public, ensuring communities fully benefit from their expertise.
She made the call when officially opening the 4th Annual Conference of the Tanzania Nutrition Professionals Association 2026, held at Mabeyo Hall in Dodoma.
Addressing various participants at the opening, the Dr mentioned the recent rise of people in social media who are not nutrition experts but are providing incorrect nutrition advice, noting that professionals must play the part of ensuring that citizens are not misled.
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“The health consequences of wrong information are serious,” she stressed.
Elaborating, she said that communities need accurate guidance on what foods to eat, in what quantities, and at what times, as well as which foods to avoid, to promote a healthier nation.
Moreover, she urged nutrition professionals to conduct research to identify the root causes of nutritional problems across different regions, noting that dietary challenges vary between communities.
“No health discipline can provide solutions to public challenges without conducting proper research,” she said.
Additionally, she reminded professionals to use opportunities when patients and their families visit hospitals to provide nutrition education, including guidance on proper dietary practices and the use of food as part of medical treatment.