In a significant call to action, Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, President and Founder of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), has urged President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government to establish dedicated nutrition committees within hospitals across the country. This urgent plea was made during an online press conference held on 17^th February 2025 which was closely monitored by CEOAFRICA, the official media partner for the event.

The press conference serves as a precursor to the forthcoming WASPEN Conference in collaboration with the National Hospital Abuja (NHA)—titled "Bridging the Gap: Integrating Hospital and Community Malnutrition Care in Developing Countries"—set to take place from June 17 to 19, 2025, at the Trauma Center of the National Hospital Abuja. The conference aims to address the persistent issue of hospital malnutrition that plagues healthcare facilities across the region.

Dr. Pounds emphasized the critical nature of tackling malnutrition within hospitals. "The main issue we aim to treat is the urgent necessity of addressing malnutrition in hospitals. This is a silent crisis—like a skeleton in the hospital closet—that must be brought to light," she stated. She elaborated that patients suffering from malnutrition not only endure longer hospital stays but also face increased risks of complications, underscoring the need for comprehensive data to understand the extent of hospital malnutrition.

Reflecting on the conference theme, Dr. Pounds noted, "We aim to demonstrate the significant gap between hospital and community malnutrition. Our insights from the LUTH conference last year served as a catalyst for this theme." She underscored the importance of recognizing hospital malnutrition as a pressing issue needing collective action, including the establishment of multidisciplinary committees for better patient screening to assess nutritional status.

Highlighting the roles of esteemed keynote speakers, Dr. Pounds mentioned notable figures such as Dr. (Prof.) Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA); Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, former Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University; and Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed Esq., National President of the Institute of Dietetics in Nigeria. She insisted that their contributions would be instrumental in enlightening both healthcare professionals and policymakers about the complexities of malnutrition.

In a passionate appeal, Dr. Pounds called on the government, hospitals, healthcare organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public-private partnerships to shift their focus toward malnutrition and implement comprehensive initiatives. "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," she asserted.

Dr. Pounds further stressed the importance of collaboration among experts, researchers, and policymakers in the field of nutrition, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of malnutrition on both adults and children across Nigeria and West Africa.

In remarks made by LOC Chairman Pharm. Adesola Clara, representing Chief Medical Director NHA, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, she said that the significance of the partnership with WASPEN was underscored. "This collaboration is both an honor and a necessity," she stated, acknowledging alarming statistics from UNICEF that approximately 2 million children in Nigeria are affected by malnutrition. "This is an urgent issue that must be addressed for the betterment of our society and the advancement of our economic growth," she affirmed.

Pharm. Nanret Blessing Basil Ghinsel, Chairperson of the WASPEN Central Planning Committee, outlined the exciting plans leading up to the conference, including a hands-on training workshop on nutritional kits scheduled for June 16, a Health Awareness Walk on June 17 led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and a pivotal panel discussion on June 19 that will encapsulate the conference's findings.

Present at the press conference were key figures in the healthcare sector, including Pharm. Adesola Clara, LOC chairman at the National Hospital Abuja, and Pharm. Nanret Blessing Basil Ghinsel from the WASPEN Central Planning Committee, alongside other professionals such as retired NAFDAC Director Dr. Monica Eimunjeze. Notably, one of the conference sponsors, Geneith Pharmaceutical Ltd., CEO Chief Emmanuel Umenwa , Principal Manager Marketing, Pharm. Judith Ngozi Udeh and other members of Geneith management team were also in attendance.

With preparations for the WASPEN Clinical Nutrition Conference well underway, stakeholders in the healthcare sector are committed to developing effective strategies to tackle the grave issue of malnutrition that continues to affect countless individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, in Nigeria and throughout West Africa.

As the event draws closer, all eyes will be on the conference as a pivotal moment for advancing nutritional care and fostering meaningful change in healthcare standards across the region