The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has launched the 2025 edition of Malnutrition Awareness Week with a strong call for action against hospital malnutrition; an often-overlooked crisis undermining patient recovery and health outcomes in Nigeria and across West Africa.
In a speech delivered at the press conference by Dr. Teresa I. Pounds, President and Founder of WASPEN, she emphasized that this year’s global theme, “United Against Malnutrition” which is championed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and its International Clinical Nutrition Section underscores the collective responsibility of nations, institutions and healthcare systems to confront malnutrition in all its forms.
Dr. Pounds highlighted that hospital malnutrition is a silent epidemic affecting between 20% to 50% of hospitalized patients globally. In Nigeria, preliminary data shows alarming rates: between 30% and 45% of inpatients in tertiary hospitals suffer from malnutrition, particularly among surgical, paediatric and oncology patients. Studies have revealed that 41.2% of under-five hospitalized children in Nasarawa State showed signs of malnutrition, while 71.3% of elderly patients in Enugu were classified as malnourished. The consequences are severe—delayed recovery, prolonged hospital stays, increased infections, avoidable re-admissions and even higher mortality rates.
Beyond hospitals, Dr. Pounds stressed that community malnutrition remains a pressing issue. Over 30% of Nigerian children are stunted, while 7% are wasted. Malnutrition in the community and malnutrition in hospitals are two sides of the same coin. Progress on one without the other leaves the circle incomplete, she said.
To address the gaps, WASPEN has partnered with a leading Nigerian institution to collect updated national data on hospital malnutrition prevalence, with the aim of shaping evidence-based policies and ensuring that clinical nutrition becomes a structured part of national health strategies.
The week-long activities include webinars, institutional events and regional collaborations. Highlights are:
8 September – Launch press conference
9 September – Webinar on standardized clinical nutrition protocols for effective patient care
10 September – Institution-specific awareness activities across Nigeria and West Africa
11 September – Webinar on integrating clinical nutrition into healthcare systems
12 September – Regional outreach and localized campaigns
This year’s Malnutrition Awareness Week marks the second edition in Nigeria. Building on last year’s participation of seven institutions across six geopolitical zones, the 2025 campaign has expanded to include 17 Nigerian institutions and for the first time, institutions in Cameroon and Ghana. The event also welcomed two ASPEN leaders Dr. Phil Ayers, Past President and Board Member and Dr. Albert Barrocas, Board Member, signifying global solidarity with West Africa in the fight against malnutrition.
Dr. Pounds commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and nutrition-focused organizations for their continued fight against community malnutrition. However, she called for greater prioritization of hospital nutrition within Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that adequate nutritional care is a fundamental human right. She added that patients recovering from surgery, those battling cancer, older adults and children in fragile health all rely on proper nutrition care, without which recovery is stalled and lives are placed at risk.
WASPEN reaffirmed its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, noting that Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, mni, Director of Nutrition, will serve as a key speaker during the webinars; a strong sign of government partnership. Still, Dr. Pounds urged that commitment must translate into policy and action to secure sustainable progress.
As the week unfolds, WASPEN’s message remains clear: only by addressing both community and hospital malnutrition can Nigeria and West Africa truly advance public health and affirm the principle that nutrition is a human right.
