Monash Nutrition students make a difference abroad
Last month, a delegation of 10 students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics visited Fiji as part of the volunteer program. Friends4Fiji is a not-for-profit organisation, based at Monash UniveristyClayton, that aims to bring medical knowledge and resources to the Urman Prasad School of Medicine at the University of Fiji.
”It
was such a privilege to be able to empower people with the skills to change
their futures. It was really impacting to see ‘the light turn on’ for
people when they realised that they could improve their health and the health
of their families through food”. said Hannah Vass, who volunteered with the
program.
Delegates
worked with Medical Students from the University of Fiji who were interested in
learning more about the role of nutrition in health. Here they spoke about their
work at a Public Health forum at the University.
Free health
screenings and individual nutrition counselling sessions in community centres
and villages were provided as part of the program.
“There
is a vital role for dietitians and nutritionists in Fiji to influence
individuals eating behaviours, as well as making the food environment and
culture more supportive of healthy eating to prevent disease.” Said Hannah. “When
we saw the individuals and families suffering from largely preventable
conditions, we realised how crucial education is.”
Travelling to Fiji allowed students from the department to address nutrition issues first hand. ‘I've learnt as a future health professional that you can never predict what a person will need, rather it is extremely important to have an open mind and listen to them’.