The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Pune branch, has instituted a certificate course in clinical for health professionals. The course will integrate principles of basic and clinical nutrition and outline diagnosis and evaluation of nutrition disorders.

The move assumes significance as nutrition is not given due importance in most medical and health science specialties.
“It is important to sensitise health professionals about new concepts of malnutrition, like type I and II nutrients, obesity and other problems related to improper nutrition. Nutrition-related health problems can create a silent life threatening emergency. There is a need to institute public health interventions to tackle such problems and the course is aimed at addressing these issues,” said MUHS vicechancellor Arun Jamkar.

The course is intended primarily for professionals working in medical, ayurveda, unani and homeopathy fields and in specialties like paediatrics, gynaecology, medicine, oncology, physiotherapy and nursing. “The participants will be given a thorough knowledge of basic nutrition and nutritional diseases which will help them in diagnosing nutritional disorders. They can plan special diets for malnutrition, obesity, cancer and HIV,” he said, adding: “Treating nutritional disorders requires basic knowledge of pathophysiology as well as biochemical and clinical knowledge relevant to common nutritional diseases affecting different health systems.”

Malnutrition among children below five years remains an impediment to optimal human development in India. In the current Indian population of 1,100 million, there would be about 132 million under five children (12% of the population), of which 6.4% or roughly 8 million could be assumed to be suffering from malnutrition.

The number of seats available for the course is 20. Selection will be based on the entrance examination and subsequent interview. The six-month course comprises interactive sessions, panel discussions with experts, case scenarios, hospitals and field visits. The last date for submitting the application form is December 31. Further details can be obtained by sending email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• To provide a sound understanding of the science of nutrition and diseases
• To provide advanced knowledge, skills and scientific basis for assessment and management of nutrition-related problems
• To build capacities to undertake research projects in the area of nutrition
• To enhance knowledge and skills for improving patient care, management and evaluation of community programmes

• Help clinicians in the management and early diagnosis of nutritional disorders as well as building interventions
• Knowledge would be of help in setting up a nutrition counseling cell
• The course will be a stepping stone to the field of national and international research related to nutrition

• Bachelor degree from medicine (allopathy and/or interpathy)
• Health professionals working in medicine/paediatrics/ gynaecology/ surgery/ nursing /physiotherapy fields