Diana Abuga

KNDI-registered Nutrition and Dietetics professional with a Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from Laikipia University (2025) and practical clinical experience at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (PGH). Skilled in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), nutritional assessment, therapeutic diet planning, management of acute malnutrition, maternal and child nutrition, nutrition counseling, enteral feeding, and clinical documentation. Experienced in providing nutrition care to inpatient and outpatient patients with conditions including diabetes, hypertension, renal disorders, HIV/AIDS, and acute malnutrition.

Proficient in patient monitoring, nutrition education, clinical ward rounds, and multidisciplinary teamwork. Committed to evidence-based, patient-centered nutrition care and improved health outcomes.

Nutritionist / Nutrition and Dietetics Intern at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (PGH) (2025-03 – Present)

• Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for inpatient and outpatient patients to identify nutritional risks and nutrition-related health problems.
• Perform anthropometric assessments, including weight, height, BMI, and MUAC, to determine and monitor nutritional status.
• Develop individualized nutrition care plans based on patients' medical conditions, nutritional requirements, dietary preferences, and treatment goals.
• Provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and appropriate therapeutic diets for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Monitor patients' nutritional progress and modify nutrition interventions according to changes in nutritional and medical status.
• Provide individualized nutrition counseling to patients, caregivers, and family members.
• Participate in patient follow-up to evaluate nutrition interventions and promote continuity of care.
• Provide dietary counseling and nutrition interventions for patients with diabetes mellitus, including balanced meals, portion control, carbohydrate management, and healthy food choices.
• Support nutritional management of patients with hypertension, focusing on appropriate dietary choices, sodium reduction, portion control, and lifestyle modification.
• Provide nutrition interventions for patients with renal disorders, considering individual clinical and dietary requirements.
• Support nutrition care for patients living with HIV/AIDS, focusing on adequate nutrient intake, dietary diversity, food safety, and nutrition-related challenges.
• Develop practical dietary recommendations to support treatment adherence and long-term health outcomes.
• Support implementation of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services within pediatric care settings.
• Screen children for acute malnutrition using appropriate anthropometric and clinical assessment procedures.
• Support management and monitoring of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).
• Monitor nutritional progress and treatment response among children receiving nutrition interventions.
• Provide nutrition education and counseling to parents and caregivers on appropriate child feeding practices.
• Educate caregivers on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, dietary diversity, meal frequency, and age-appropriate feeding.
• Support follow-up of pediatric patients to promote continuity of nutrition care.
• Provide nutrition education and counseling to mothers attending the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinic.
• Educate mothers on optimal breastfeeding practices and appropriate infant feeding.
• Guide the introduction of complementary foods and age-appropriate feeding practices.
• Counsel mothers and caregivers on dietary diversity, meal frequency, food preparation, and nutritional requirements during child growth and development.
• Support nutrition education activities aimed at preventing maternal and child malnutrition.
• Participate in clinical ward rounds alongside doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Conduct nutrition-focused patient assessments and provide appropriate dietary recommendations.
• Monitor patients' dietary intake, nutritional status, and response to nutrition interventions.
• Support nutritional management of patients requiring specialized nutritional support.
• Assist with calculation, monitoring, and adjustment of enteral/tube feeding requirements where indicated.
• Participate in discharge nutrition counseling to support continuity of dietary care.
• Conduct individual and group nutrition education sessions for patients, caregivers, mothers, and community members.
• Provide education on healthy eating, balanced diets, dietary diversity, disease-specific nutrition, and lifestyle modification.
• Use communication and behavior change techniques to encourage healthier dietary practices.
• Adapt nutrition recommendations to patients' cultural practices, economic circumstances, food availability, and individual preferences.
• Maintain accurate patient nutrition records, nutrition registers, and clinical documentation.
• Record nutritional assessments, interventions, follow-up information, and patient outcomes.
• Support collection and organization of nutrition-related data for facility reporting.
• Utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and relevant documentation systems.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling patient information.

Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics – Laikipia University (2025)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) – St. Angela Sengera Girls High School