The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) held a significant Press Conference via Zoom on Monday, June 2, 2025, to announce preparations for the upcoming 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference in collaboration with the National Hospital Abuja (NHA). Slated for June 17-19, 2025, at the Trauma Center of the National Hospital, the conference will center on the theme " Bridging the Gap: Integrating Hospital and Community Malnutrition Care in Developing Countries.
The WASPEN 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference promises to be a premier gathering for healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, all dedicated to addressing malnutrition and advancing clinical nutrition care within both hospital and community settings throughout West Africa.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, CMD of National Hospital, represented by Dr. Lawal, the Clinical Director and Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) member, stated, “We are honored to host the upcoming conference. Although there have been challenges in preparation, we are confident the conference will be successful and provide immense benefits as we address hospital malnutrition across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. At the Department of Pediatrics, we engage with primary health centers and interact with health workers, addressing unique challenges beyond just the hospital level.”
Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, the Founder and President of WASPEN, highlighted the organization’s commitment to combating malnutrition. “WASPEN is a regional-focused organization devoted to raising awareness about malnutrition and addressing the needs of patients requiring specialized nutritional support, which has far-reaching effects on healthcare systems across West Africa. Malnutrition is a pressing issue, especially in Nigeria. Our focus is on the early identification of patients upon admission and the promotion of impactful research.”
Dr. Isichei Pounds emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “In this upcoming conference, we will have leadership from various professional bodies, including physicians, dietitians, nursing, pharmacy departments, and academia. They will come together to address this critical issue and educate attendees on malnutrition’s implications. We urge the Federal Government to join us in forming a technical group dedicated to combatting malnutrition. We are prepared to work closely with this group. We call on the government to prioritize hospital malnutrition with the same vigor that President Bola Tinubu has shown towards community malnutrition.”
Concluding her address, Dr. Isichei Pounds expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you to CEOAFRICA for moderating this conference, and to the press, your voice is powerful. Help us tell the story, inform the public, influence the system, and spread the word about the conference.”
Pharm. Clara Adesola, the LOC Chair at National Hospital, expressed her satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “We consider it a privilege to collaborate with WASPEN to provide a platform for healthcare professionals in Nigeria aimed at promoting an effective nutrition system. We are excited to create awareness and explore ways to improve malnutrition among our patients. The management has supported us in organizing this conference, which will include workshops, a health walk, an opening ceremony, and a scientific symposium.”
Wrapping up the meeting, Pharm. Nanret Blessing, the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) Chair, thanked everyone for participating in the Zoom meeting, noting, “We appreciate your contributions and look forward to seeing you at the conference, which promises to be impactful and educational.”
As the fight against malnutrition continues, the WASPEN 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference seeks to inspire meaningful change and foster collaboration across West Africa's healthcare landscape.
