WASPEN Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025 seeks to address hospital malnutrition as a silent epidemic
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Dr Teresa Pounds, founder of WASPEN
WASPEN Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025 seeks to address hospital malnutrition as a silent epidemic
By Naomi Onome
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Dr Teresa I. Pounds, the founder of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), during a press conference on Monday, September 8, officially ushered in the ‘Malnutrition Awareness Week’ for 2025 as she highlighted the pressing issue of malnutrition in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, emphasising its prevalence in both community and hospital settings.
This year’s theme, “United Against Malnutrition”, is championed by ASPEN’s International Clinical Nutrition Section, in reminder that malnutrition is not a challenge for one nation or one hospital—it is a shared responsibility requiring a collective action. WASPEN is focusing on the urgent issue of hospital malnutrition at its Malnutrition Awareness Week for 2025.
The week-at-a-glance includes expert-led webinars on optimising patient care through standardised clinical nutrition protocols and addressing “United Against Malnutrition: Integrating Clinical Nutrition Care into Healthcare Systems”. Institution-specific events across Nigeria and West Africa will turn this campaign into meaningful local action while also seeking national data on hospital malnutrition prevalence with Nigerian institutions.
Dr Teresa Pounds reiterated that hospitalised patients are particularly vulnerable due to underlying illnesses, socioeconomic factors, and limited access to adequate nutrition. Globally, estimates suggest that between 20% and 50% of hospitalised patients suffer from malnutrition. In Nigeria, there are high rates of malnutrition reported among hospitalised children, with studies showing rates ranging between 30% and 45%.
She said,
“In Nigeria, over 30% of children are stunted, and about 7% are wasted. These numbers reflect deep-rooted challenges but also show why a holistic approach is essential. WASPEN is working with a leading Nigerian institution to gather updated national data on hospital malnutrition prevalence, which will guide their efforts in pushing for hospital nutrition to become part of structured national strategies.”
“Also, 30-45% of patients (surgical, paediatric, and oncology patients) in tertiary hospitals are malnourished; 41.2% of under-five children in Nasarawa showed global malnutrition, while 71.3% of hospitalised elderly patients in Enugu were malnourished. However, the impact of hospital malnutrition varies; it can lead to delayed wound healing, increased infections, prolonged hospital stays, higher mortality, potential readmissions, and others.”
To create awareness, Dr Pounds said last year’s event had seven institutions across all six geopolitical zones in participation and created a national impact through clinical engagement and media outreach. In 2025, the momentum has grown as 17 institutions are officially on board, and for the first time, Cameroon and Ghana joined—reflecting a stronger regional commitment.
She further stated that,
“WASPEN’s launch of the 2025 Malnutrition Awareness Week with the theme ‘United Against Malnutrition’, collaboration with ASPEN (American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition), and partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health through the Ministry’s Director of Nutrition Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, affirm the government and stakeholders’ partnership and commitment that must translate into policy and action.”
“For this course, WASPEN is privileged to work with international colleagues from ASPEN: Dr Phil Ayers, past president and current board member, and Dr Albert Barrocas, board member. Their presence highlights the strength of WASPEN’s partnership with ASPEN and affirms West Africa’s growing role in the global nutrition care conversation.”
Urge Nigerian leaders to prioritise hospital nutrition in healthcare strategies; advocate for collaboration among West African societies, institutions and partners; stress a team approach involving dietitians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals; and highlight the need for qualified professionals with appropriate training. Urges all to unite against malnutrition—community and hospital alike—and affirm that nutrition is a human right.
Added that WASPEN as a body commends the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, and all nutrition-focused organisations for their tireless efforts in tackling community malnutrition. However, they must also recognise that malnutrition is a holistic challenge and must be brought into the spotlight. WASPEN, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, is ensuring that hospital malnutrition is not left behind.
Dr Teresa also acknowledged the challenges of limited dietitians in the region and called for capacity building, evidence generation, and national adoption of clinical nutrition strategies. She, however, underscores the interconnectedness of community and hospital malnutrition, pushing for holistic action against the “silent epidemic”.
Other partners’ and stakeholders’ input emphasised the aims and objectives of WASPEN and suggested that to improve nutrition in Nigeria, people should be enlightened on the use of locally available and indigenous foods in each region, with subsidies for food and transportation. Additionally, a kitchen or restaurant should be established in hospitals for indigenous admitted malnourished children to provide adequate diets.
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