KUALA LUMPUR: Health clinics in the country do not have enough dietitians to handle cases of disease-related malnutrition (DRM), the parliamentary special select committee on health told the Dewan Rakyat today.
DRM is a condition that occurs when serious or chronic illnesses cause inadequate nutrient intake, poor absorption, or increased nutritional needs.
Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai), who chairs the committee, said detecting and treating DRM required strengthening the healthcare workforce, as only 55% of the nation’s 1,100 health clinics have access to dietitians.
“At the same time, there are only 120 active dietitians in primary care, limiting the reach of comprehensive dietetic treatment,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Suhaizan also said that DRM had significant economic implications for the country, as it could double hospital readmission risks and increase treatment costs by up to 30%.
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