Healthcare Professionals Graduate at Nestlé Zimbabwe Nutrition PGPN Symposium and Convocation

By Tavia Matikiti, MFOM                                           

The Nestlé Zimbabwe Nutrition Department held its first Postgraduate Programme in Paediatric Nutrition (PGPN) Symposium and Convocation on 2 February 2018. The event was attended by guest of honour, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Major General Dr General Gwinji; Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa Board Member Ms Irene Sambo; the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Cynthia Chasokela; the President of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives, Dr Lilian Dodzo; in addition to the Nestlé Zimbabwe team. 99 healthcare professionals from across Zimbabwe’s health institutions graduated at what was a colourful and jubilant event.

Nestlé South Cluster Manager Mr Ben Ndiaye highlighted in his speech that the PGPN is an educational initiative offered in association with Boston University School of Medicine and supported by Nestlé Nutrition Institute to provide HCPs with an excellent learning experience in paediatric nutrition.

In February 2017, 100 healthcare professionals from across Zimbabwe were enrolled into the PGPN and there was a 100% completion rate of the modules, with HCPs attaining a score of at least 70% in each of the seven online modules.

Dr Prosper Chopera, a senior lecturer in the Institute of Food Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Zimbabwe, conducted the last two modules on the convocation day. Major General Dr Gwinji confirmed that the knowledge acquired by participants will go a long way in enhancing their clinical practice and ultimately translate into improved nutrition and health indicators for Zimbabwe.