The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has announced plans to hold its 5th Annual Clinical Nutrition Conference in Asaba, Delta State, as part of efforts to tackle the growing challenge of hospital malnutrition across Nigeria and West Africa.
The conference is scheduled to take place from June 22 to 25, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, and is expected to attract more than 300 healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and international experts.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing, WASPEN Founder and President, Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, described hospital malnutrition as a “silent epidemic” that continues to undermine patient recovery and healthcare outcomes.
According to her, studies indicate that between 30 and 45 per cent of patients admitted into tertiary healthcare facilities are already malnourished, while the figure rises to as high as 71 per cent among elderly patients in some hospital wards.
“Hospital malnutrition is a silent epidemic. It is associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased infections, delayed wound healing and higher mortality rates. Yet, nutrition care is still not consistently integrated into routine clinical practice,” she said.
Dr. Pounds noted that the conference would focus on promoting universal access to nutrition support for patients, improving clinical safety through evidence-based protocols and strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals.
She added that special attention would be given to neonatal and pediatric nutrition, with experts expected to deliberate on safe parenteral nutrition practices for newborns in resource-limited settings.
The conference also marks WASPEN’s fifth anniversary. Since its establishment in 2019, the organization has facilitated the creation of Nutrition Support Steering Committees in major healthcare institutions, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), National Hospital Abuja and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria.
In his remarks, the Medical Director of FMC Asaba, Dr. Ekeneam Omo, expressed appreciation to WASPEN for selecting the institution as host venue for the conference.
He said the hospital possesses specialists dedicated to addressing malnutrition and is committed to ensuring the success of the event.
“We appreciate Dr. Teresa and WASPEN for considering FMC Asaba as the host institution. We have specialists handling issues of malnutrition, and with this awareness campaign by WASPEN, we hope to strengthen the hospital-wide approach to nutrition care.
“As a hospital, we are ready and putting in place the facilities required for the conference. The Delta State Commissioner is also expected to visit to review preparations and modalities for the event,” he said.
Chairman of the conference, Pharmacist Paul Enebeli, described the gathering as a reflection of the growing commitment across Nigeria and West Africa to integrate clinical nutrition into healthcare systems.
He noted that the WASPEN Clinical Nutrition Conference has continued to grow in significance because it brings together policymakers, researchers and healthcare practitioners to pursue the shared goal of building sustainable clinical nutrition systems.
“This conference represents the growing recognition across Nigeria and West Africa of the need to address clinical nutrition within healthcare systems. It has grown significantly because it provides a platform for policymakers, researchers and healthcare professionals to focus on a common goal of developing sustainable clinical nutrition systems,” Enebeli said.
The conference is being organized in partnership with the Delta State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and several international clinical nutrition societies. Organizers say the event will provide a platform for advancing nutrition care policies and practices aimed at improving patient outcomes across the region.
