sheila murgor

I am a clinical nutritionist working at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya’s premier mental health institution. My role sits at the intersection of nutrition, mental health, and holistic patient care, where I provide evidence-based nutritional assessment, counseling, and therapeutic nutrition interventions for individuals with diverse psychiatric and neurological conditions. With over a decade of professional experience as a clinical nutritionist—five of which have been at Mathari Hospital—I have developed extensive expertise in integrating nutrition into mental health treatment frameworks within a public healthcare setting. A core responsibility of my role is conducting comprehensive nutritional assessments for both inpatients and outpatients. These assessments include anthropometric measurements, dietary history analysis, biochemical data interpretation, clinical examinations, and evaluation of socioeconomic and psychosocial factors that influence nutritional status. Many patients admitted to Mathari Hospital present with malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, or metabolic complications, often exacerbated by long-term illness, medication side effects, substance use, poverty, or neglect. Identifying these risks early allows for timely nutrition interventions that improve both physical and mental health outcomes. Therapeutic nutrition care is a major component of my daily practice. I develop individualized nutrition care plans tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, treatment regimen, and functional status. For patients on long-term psychotropic medications—such as antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants—I provide targeted nutrition interventions to manage common side effects including weight gain, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, constipation, and micronutrient imbalances. Through dietary modification, patient education, and continuous monitoring, I contribute to reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which are prevalent among psychiatric populations. Nutrition counseling and education form another critical pillar of my work. I provide one-on-one and group counseling sessions to patients, caregivers, and family members, focusing on practical, culturally appropriate, and affordable dietary strategies. Many of the patients and families served by Mathari Hospital come from low-income backgrounds, making it essential to recommend nutrition solutions that are realistic within their economic constraints. I emphasize the use of locally available foods, simple meal planning techniques, and sustainable eating habits that support both mental and physical well-being.