Dietitians in the DR

[Kiera]

Hi.

My husband & I may be moving to the DR for 2-3 years with his job. I currently work as a Dietitian in National Health Service in the UK and wondered if anyone had any idea if there are public or private dietitians working in the DR, and if I would be able to practice there? We would be living in Santa Domingo.

Money is not my main concern, and if I couldn't practice as a dietitian I would consider doing charity/volunteer work related to health promotion, especially if it was nutrition-related. Any suggestions?

At present I don't speak more than a few words of Spanish. I do intend to learn, but I appreciate that this might make things difficult especially in the early days.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Chirimoya]

There may be some scope for you to work as a nutritionist with an NGO. Although I have some contacts in that sector I don't have any specific knowledge of your field of work. It is worth researching which international organisations are active in this field here.

Your lack of Spanish would limit you somewhat, but as you are in a position where you do not need to start earning right away there is time for you to learn some before you start working.

There is demand for dieticians here and you may be able to set up privately: like many places obesity in the DR is on the rise, and the traditional tolerance of the 'fuller figure' is being displaced by western ideals of thinness, especially among the upper middle and upper classes, where the money is! On a serious note there are also more eating disorders in these circles.

I happened to catch a Dominican TV programme called 'Mundo Gordo' - (Fat World) presented by overweight people and aimed at an overweight audience. Past episodes had dealt with acceptance, self-esteem, and sex, but last night's edition was about dieting. Interesting stuff!

Chiri

[MrMike]

I've asked around for a dietician a few times and always get a referral, though I have never gotten around to making or keeping any appointments.

Of course, whether there are practicing dieticians is another question, it seems most Dominicans know someone who can help you no matter what the trouble, but often their kindness and zeal to hook their friends up far outweighs the ability of the same friends to be of any assistence whatsoever.

I think if need is any indication then a dietician could stay quite busy here, since a lot of the locals seem to think they can live on soft drinks, white rice and pork chops (and some manage to look incredibly healthy none the less) and beer seems to be a kind of substitute for vegetables.

[Kiera]

Thanks for the replies. The information is greatly appreciated.

I wonder, Chiri, what is an NGO? Forgive my ignorance, but I'm still getting to grips with things in the DR.

Mike, who referred you to the dietitian? Was it your doctor? I'm trying to work out who is most likely to need to employ a dietitian.

Does anyone know if any of the hospitals employ dietitians?

Thanks again,
Kiera

[MrMike]

Yes, it was a doctor, and the dietician was another doctor too. There's a LOT of doctors here.

[Chirimoya]

Hello Keira

NGO stands for Non-Governmental Organisation, a sort of fancy term for 'charity'. There are local and international NGOs here, including some British ones. The international ones pay fairly well but the local ones don't, as a rule. There are also United Nations bodies like UNICEF (I don't include them in the NGO category) but they are in similar line of work - poverty alleviation. As much of this work is linked with nutrition, it is possible that there are openings.

Good luck

Chiri

[Kiera]

Thanks Chiri, I'll look into it from the UK and see what I can come up with.

All the best,
Kiera.