By Ifeoma Ikem
The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has raised alarm over what it described as prevalence of malnutrition in Nigeria healthcare facilities.
Dr Teresa Isichei Pounds, Founder and President of WASPEN disclosed this while addressing pressmen in a virtual briefing on Monday to announce the upcoming 5th Annual Clinical Nutrition Conference scheduled to take place from June 22nd to 25th, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba, Delta State.
Pounds noted that WASPEN is set to tackle the `silent epidemic’ of hospital malnutrition currently undermining patient recovery across the nation.
“ Through screening, we discovered that between 30 and 45 percent of patients in tertiary hospitals are malnourished upon admission, with that figure climbing to as high as 71 percent in some elderly wards.
“Malnutrition is not merely a side effect but a major driver of poor clinical outcomes; it is associated with longer hospital stays, increased infections, delayed wound healing, and higher mortality rates’’.
She said that the conference will help to bridge the gap between policy and practice as nutrition care is still not integrated into routine clinical practice.
The event will focus on three urgent priorities, Universal Access: Ensuring all patients receive nutrition support regardless of economic status, Clinical Safety: Standardizing interventions through evidence-based protocols and Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Integrating physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, and policymakers to create cohesive nutrition support teams.A significant portion of the four-day event will be dedicated to neonatal and pediatric nutrition.
Pounds who reiterated that early nutrition is vital for survival and long-term development added that the conference will also feature a specialized expert roundtable on safe parenteral nutrition for neonates in resource-limited settings.
“This year’s conference marks a five-year milestone for WASPEN.
“Since its inception in 2019, WASPEN has been instrumental in establishing Nutrition Support Steering Committees at major institutions, including the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), National Hospital Abuja, and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria.
She gave a strong call to action to stakeholders on the need to improve early identification and treatment of malnutrition.
“Together, we can build a future where every patient receives the nutrition care they need to survive, recover, and thrive.
“For more information on registration and conference details, interested participants are encouraged to engage with WASPEN through their official professional networks and the FMC centre, Asaba.
Mr Paul Enebeli, ,Chairman of the 2026 WASPEN said that malnutrition is a significant challenge in many developing countries; especially as rural-urban migration increases the number of urban poor, noting that malnutrition is preventable and treatable when detected early.
Enebeli noted that the 2026 conference will help bring together the full scope of stakeholders’ impact on how to tackle malnutrition in the country.
“Clinical nutrition should no longer be regarded as an optional support service but as a critical component of healthcare delivery.
`Malnutrition continues to worsen patients outcome, prolong hospitalisation and increase financial pressure on both families and healthcare institutions.
“Many of these outcomes are preventable through timely nutrition screening, early intervention and coordinated multidisciplinary care. Clinical nutrition must therefore be recognised as an essential clinical service,” he said.
Enebeli highlighted the growing collaboration between WASPEN and key local and international organisations like the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, ASPEN, ISPEN and several professional associations, all aimed at strengthening capacity-building and evidence-based nutrition practice.
He commended the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC Asaba, Dr Ekeneam Omo for his support to host the conference.
Dr Ekeneam Omo in his response expressed delight that the institution was selected to host the landmark conference.
He assured stakeholders that the hospital is fully prepared to receive delegates and facilitate a successful event.
“Although specialists within the hospital have traditionally handled nutrition-related issues at departmental levels, the conference would help institutionalize a broader hospital-wide approach to addressing malnutrition.
“We are excited to host this conference because of the immense benefits it will bring to our institution and the healthcare system.
“Preparations are already ongoing, and we are engaging the Delta State Government to ensure a successful event,” he stated.
