The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition has called on the federal government to establish a multi-sectoral national task force to combat hospital malnutrition.

The appeal was made by Teresa Pounds, founder and president of WASPEN, during a virtual media briefing ahead of the WASPEN 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference scheduled to take place in Abuja.

Ms Pounds said the conference aimed to address the disconnection between nutritional care provided in hospitals and what was sustained in communities.

“This gap costs lives, especially among the most vulnerable, and this conference is our united response.

“We are poised to advocate for nutrition support in Nigeria, particularly for patients across all age groups, paediatrics, adults, and the elderly, who suffer from malnutrition in our healthcare facilities,” she said.

She reiterated the importance of early detection of malnutrition in hospitalised patients and called for strengthened nutrition education among healthcare workers and students.

Ms Pounds also highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach, stating that tackling hospital malnutrition requires coordinated efforts from healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.

WASPEN is committed to advancing clinical nutrition in West Africa through education, research, and collaboration, with a strong focus on evidence-based practices and expanding access to nutrition support.

(NAN)