The Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Ondo State Chapter, has described as demeaning, improper, unprofessional, and deeply misleading, a statement credited to Association Of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria (AMLSN), Ondo State Chapter, that referred to Nutrition And Dietetics Department as “kitchen”.
This is contained in a letter addressed to the AMLSN, and signed by Dtn. Samagbeyi Ruth O, Chairman of IDN, Ondo State Chapter and Dtn. Oluwatobi Festus Bankole, General Secretary, IDN Ondo State Chapter.
IDN requested that the AMLSN, Ondo State Chapter should retract the said statement in the spirit of mutual respect, urging the management of the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure, FUTATH to ensure that all professional groups operate with decorum, mutual respect, and appreciation of each profession’s distinct contributions.
According to a copy of the letter sighted by newsmen, IDN said, “the attention of the Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Ondo State Chapter has been drawn to a recent public communication from the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Ondo State Chapter, in which the Nutrition and Dietetics Department was wrongly referred to as “Kitchen.”
“We view this description as demeaning, unprofessional, and deeply misleading. It reflects a lack of understanding of the critical role of Registered Dietitians and the Nutrition and Dietetics profession within the healthcare system.
“While every professional body has the right to advocate for its members, it becomes hypocritical and unethical when this advocacy comes at the expense of another noble profession. Just as no Medical Laboratory Scientist would appreciate being called a “mere laboratory worker,” we firmly reject the relegation of Dietitians and Nutrition and Dietetics Department to the label of a mere “kitchen.”
“Dietitians are officially recognized as clinical professionals and are vital members of the clinical directorate of hospitals across Nigeria. Reducing our function to the term “kitchen” is not only inaccurate but also disrespectful to the lives we help save daily through therapeutic nutrition.”
The institute also acts thus, “OUR STANCE; We, the leadership of IDN Ondo State Chapter, strongly:
- Condemn the use of the term “kitchen” in referring to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Request the AMLSN Ondo State Chapter to retract the said statement in the spirit of mutual respect.
- Urge the hospital management at FUTATH to ensure that all professional groups operate with decorum, mutual respect, and appreciation of each profession’s distinct contributions.
“We remain committed to interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of quality healthcare and expect the same level of dignity accorded to all professional departments.”
Below is the full text of the letter;
Ref No: IDN/OD/2025 REJ001
15/06/2025
The Chairman,
Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN),
Ondo State Chapter.
REJOINDER TO THE LETTER OF ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS OF NIGERIA (AMLSN), ONDO STATE CHAPTER ON THE IMPROPER REFERENCE TO NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DEPARTMENT AS “KITCHEN”
The attention of the Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Ondo State Chapter has been drawn to a recent public communication from the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Ondo State Chapter, in which the Nutrition and Dietetics Department was wrongly referred to as “Kitchen.”
We view this description as demeaning, unprofessional, and deeply misleading. It reflects a lack of understanding of the critical role of Registered Dietitians and the Nutrition and Dietetics profession within the healthcare system.
While every professional body has the right to advocate for its members, it becomes hypocritical and unethical when this advocacy comes at the expense of another noble profession. Just as no Medical Laboratory Scientist would appreciate being called a “mere laboratory worker,” we firmly reject the relegation of Dietitians and Nutrition and Dietetics Department to the label of a mere “kitchen.”
WHO IS A DIETITIAN?
A Registered Dietitian is a licensed clinical healthcare professional trained in:
- Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for in-patient and out-patient care.
- Nutritional assessment, intervention, monitoring, and education.
- Management of enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
- Oversight of menu planning, food service supervision, and hospital food safety.
- Participation in clinical ward rounds and case reviews.
Dietitians are officially recognized as clinical professionals and are vital members of the clinical directorate of hospitals across Nigeria. Reducing our function to the term “kitchen” is not only inaccurate but also disrespectful to the lives we help save daily through therapeutic nutrition.
OUR STANCE
We, the leadership of IDN Ondo State Chapter, strongly:
- Condemn the use of the term “kitchen” in referring to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Request the AMLSN Ondo State Chapter to retract the said statement in the spirit of mutual respect.
- Urge the hospital management at FUTATH to ensure that all professional groups operate with decorum, mutual respect, and appreciation of each profession’s distinct contributions.
We remain committed to interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of quality healthcare and expect the same level of dignity accorded to all professional departments.
Thank you.
E – Signed:
Dtn. Oluwatobi Festus Bankole (MIDN)
General Secretary, IDN Ondo State Chapter.
Dtn. Samagbeyi Ruth O. (MIDN)
Chairman, IDN Ondo State Chapter
Email: idnondostatechapter02@gmail.com | phone: 08138540067|
08037813769
cc:
The Chief Medical Director,
Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH),
Ondo State
- IDN National Secretariat
- Press & Media Outlets (Health Correspondents)
