Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, Founder and President of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), has issued a compelling appeal to the Federal Government to establish a multi-sectoral national task force dedicated to combating malnutrition in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the WASPEN 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference, Dr. Pounds emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action to address the pervasive issue of malnutrition affecting both hospital and community settings.
“Malnutrition is a silent crisis that requires immediate attention from the government, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders,” Dr. Pounds stated. She highlighted the devastating consequences of malnutrition, including prolonged hospital stays, increased risk of complications, and significant economic burdens on the healthcare system.
Dr. Pounds underscored the importance of establishing dedicated nutrition committees within hospitals and implementing comprehensive initiatives to address malnutrition.
The upcoming WASPEN 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference, scheduled for June 17–19 at the National Hospital Abuja, aims to bridge the gap between hospital and community malnutrition care in developing countries.
The conference will bring together physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, nutritionists, policymakers, and representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop effective strategies for tackling malnutrition in Nigeria and West Africa.
Dr. Pounds called on the Federal Government to take the lead in establishing a multi-sectoral national task force dedicated to the continued awareness, policy reform, and delivery of practical solutions to combat hospital malnutrition.
She emphasized that WASPEN is committed to supporting this effort with evidence, expertise, and partnership, but it must be driven as a national priority with long-term sustainability in mind.
“We want NAFDAC to lend support and for pharmaceutical and nutrition companies to invest in making essential nutritional products readily accessible. Institutions must prioritize nutrition screening as a standard practice,” Dr. Pounds asserted.
The conference will feature keynotes and expert panels from across clinical, academic, and regulatory spheres, including thought leaders such as Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, Prof. Audu Bala, and Dr. Felix Alakaloko. Participants will engage in case studies, poster sessions, product showcases, and the inauguration of the Nutrition Steering Committee at the National Hospital Abuja.
The event will commence with a Health Walk on June 17, themed “Nutrition is a Human Right: Let Every Step Count in Fighting Against Malnutrition,” to raise public awareness and advocate for nutrition as a fundamental human right.
Dr. Pounds concluded her address by urging all stakeholders to join forces in the fight against malnutrition. “Let us walk, speak, learn, and act — together — toward a West Africa free from malnutrition,” she said.
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