An organisation committed to the advancement and improvement of nutritional care in West Africa, the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), has held her 2024 Annual Conference.
The conference themed “Advancing Clinical Nutrition Care: Regional Guidelines and Standards for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition” held from Monday June 3, 2024, to Friday June 7, 2024, at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Hall 36, Lagos State, Nigeria.
CEOAFRICA recently reported that WASPEN in partnership with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Fidson Healthcare Plc started the conference with public campaign and ramping up awareness against malnutrition to promote healthier living in Nigeria.
At the opening ceremony, the Founder and President of WASPEN, Dr. Teresa Pounds while giving her speech, explained that the conference theme underscores the collective dedication of the industry to elevate the standards of practice in clinical nutrition. She added that with the participation of both “governmental and nongovernmental dignitaries, pharmaceutical and food companies, as well as diverse healthcare professionals, we anticipate enriching discussions and fruitful collaborations.”
She boasted that WASPEN has made significant progress since the last conference such as inauguration of the Multidisciplinary Nutrition Support Steering Committee at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in February 2024, which according to her, “exemplifies our commitment to action and collaboration” serving as a foundation for the 3rd annual Clinical Nutrition Conference held at LUTH. According to Pounds, to bridge the gap in specialized nutrition products within Nigeria, WASPEN has been actively engaging interested stakeholders to explore the local manufacture of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) products.
On the goals of the conference, Pounds stated that “we aim to pilot Clinical Nutrition Care Programs, develop Nutrition Support Teams and Training Programs, establish Clinical Nutrition Guidelines as standard policy, conduct vital research, and establish systems for continuous improvement.”
“We are also fostering partnerships with international companies that provide standardized enteral nutrition solutions. This dual approach not only aims to enhance local capacity but also introduces high-quality foreign enteral nutrition products to our healthcare system. These initiatives are critical steps toward ensuring that all patients have access to the nutritional support they need, thereby improving overall health outcomes,” the WASPEN President said.
Giving her Keynote Address on “Advancing Patient Wellness: Advocating for the Integration of Nutrition Care as a Standard Policy in Healthcare Institution”, the Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor Sanwo-olu on Health, Dr. Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi explained the efforts of the Lagos state government in combatting the menace of malnutrition among children and youths. She noted the presence of community nutrition trackers across various wards in the state who use basic science to identify malnourished children in order to take necessary steps.
According to her, “the availability and affordability of parenteral nutrition remains a mirage in this part of the world and fluctuating by the increasing dollar. Increasing clinical nutrition care will reduce malnutrition rate in the state.”
Lauding the initiatives of WASPEN as welcomed development, Ogunyemi concluded by posing to WASPEN and industry experts that, “there should be continuous clinical education and research to improve clinical nutrition care across the state and the country. Secondly, the fight against malnutrition should start with adequate nutrition within the first 1000 days of the human life cycle.”
Also in attendance among many dignitaries at the opening of the event are, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, represented by the Chief Operational Officer of Federal Medical Center, Ebutte Meta, Dr. Adedamola Dada; the President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh; Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Peace Babalola.
The conference witnessed goodwill messages, cultural performance, presentation of awards, exhibitions and product presentations. Also, various plenary sessions held ranging topics on “Hospital malnutrition: A hidden epidemic in sub-saharan countries” taken by Dr. Vennessa Fuchs; “Feeding the future: advances in nutrition support for paediatrics intestinal failure” by Dr. Titilola Afolabi; “Enhancing Nutritional Care in Oncology: A Collaborative Model” by Sherif Kamal; “Enteral nutrition in hospitalised patients; current trends and best practice” by Paulo Vasconcelos.
Second day of the conference also witnessed clinical presentations by Aderonke Julienne Adetunji on “Implementing effective nutrition screening protocols in the hospital settings; a nursing perspective”; Patience Chimah Madubuko on “Nutrition assessment: a Comprehensive Approach to Identifying Malnutrition” as well as WASPEN Research training by Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Nigeria, Prof. Azuka Oparah.
Panel session on “Breaking down silos: Harnessing the Strength of Interdisciplinary Collaboration” moderated by Dr. Teresa Pounds; case studies in nutrition studies; paper and poster presentation; conference summary and discussion also held before the close of the conference.
