Renuka Jayatissa

Dr Renuka Jayatissa

Clinical Nutrition Specialist
Institution: Medical Research Institute
Current Institution Location: Sri Lanka

Email: renukajayatissa@ymail.com
Phone Number:  94112695999

Address:
Department of Nutrition, Medical Research Institute, Colombo 08

Migration Health Research Area/Expertise
I have been engaged in carrying out national nutrition studies during past 25 years for Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide relevant nutrition data to identify the magnitude of the nutrition problems and to test the effectiveness of the nutrition interventions carried out by the MoH. In each study, migration is one of the components that I have addressed to assess the difference between migrant population and non-migrants. I have participated in the technical committees, which have been set up by the MoH to make decisions on policy guidance and preparing guidelines in relation to the nutritional aspect of the migrant families. I have done publications on the nutritional status of children in migrant families. Participated in most of the technical advisory and steering committees of the MoH in relation to upgrading the nutrition of children and mothers of migrant families. Worked closely with IOM, UNICEF, WHO, WFP to provide appropriate services to migrant families. One of my key interest to provide better services for these families especially for children to get better benefit from the remittance. One of my key interested areas is internally displaced population, especially after war and floods. Many studies were conducted to assess the baseline and the effectiveness of interventions among displaced population groups, especially children and women.

Research Focus/Expertise on Relevant Migrant Categories
Internal Migration
Internally displaced persons (Children, Adolescents, Adults)
Left-behind migrant families (Children, Adolescents, Adults)
Students (Adolescents)

International/Cross-Border Migration
International migrant workers (Children)
Refugees (Children, Adolescents, Adults)

Relevant Publications

Title Author Year Published Link to Publication
What Effect Does International Migration Have on the Nutritional Status and Child Care Practices of Children Left Behind? R Jayatissa, K Wickramage
Nutritional status among children under five and pregnant women affected by Tsunami R Jayatissa, A Bekele, CL Piyasena, S Mahamithawa
Community-based management of severe and moderate acute malnutrition during emergencies in Sri Lanka: Challenges of implementation R Jayatissa, A Bekele, A Kethiswaran, and AH De Silva
Rapid assessment of nutritional status of displaced children less than five years in Mullative district R Jayatissa, S Wijesingha and V Tilakaratne
Tsunami surveillance – Second round R Jayatissa
Tsunami surveillance – Third round R Jayatissa
Assessment of nutritional status among tsunami affected children under five years in Mullaitivu district R Jayatissa, L Mutowo and Diana.
Baseline nutrition survey among displaced population in batticaloe district R Jayatissa, A Bekele
Nutritional status in displaced children 5-14 years in Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomlee R Jayatissa
Nutritional status in displaced children under five years in Jaffna and Trincomlee R Jayatissa

Relevant Projects

Title Year Published Region/Country Role in the Project Main Outcome Link to Study Reports and publications
Micronutrient status of pregnant women in migrant families Asia and the Pacific
Sri Lanka
Principal Investigator