WASPEN Urge Tinubu to Prioritise Fight Against Clinical Malnutrition
Bianca Iboma
The West African Society of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make clinical malnutrition a national healthcare priority, warning that the crisis is growing but remains largely overlooked in Nigeria’s healthcare system. (WASPEN) described hospital and clinical malnutrition as a time bomb affecting the health sector in Nigeria, adding that there is very little awareness on the issue.
The Presidentof WASPEN, Dr Teresa Pounds, stated this while briefing newsmen via Zoom, highlighting the lack of resources and awareness as some of the major causes of clinical malnutrition in the country, adding that there is an urgent need to address it.
She stresses that medical institutions must initiate a clinical nutrition framework and set up committees, including various stakeholders in the health sector, to curb the silent menace in managing health issues in the country.
“The urgency of addressing malnutrition remains a major yet overlooked challenge in both acute hospital settings and community healthcare.
“Many patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses, surgical conditions, and critical care needs, suffer from inadequate nutritional support, leading to longer hospital stays, increased complications, and higher mortality rates.
“As a professional society, WASPEN is committed to ensuring that specialized clinical nutrition interventions are not only recognized but also implemented as a fundamental part of healthcare practice in Nigeria and across West Africa”, she said
The Chief Medical Director, National Hospital, Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, represented by the LOC Chairperson, Pharm. Clara Adesola in his remarks lauded the initiative, adding that the collaboration with WASPEN will ensure further ‘top to bottom’ scrutiny of issues around nutrition in the health sector.
The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) will hold its Clinical Nutrition Conference from June 17th to June 19th, 2025, at the National Hospital Abuja.
