As part of its build-up to the 5th Annual Clinical Nutrition Conference scheduled to hold from June 23–25, 2026, the West African Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has commenced on-site preparations with an official visit to Asaba, Delta State — the host city of the upcoming event.

The pre-conference visit, which took place during the week, was led by the President and Founder of WASPEN, Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, in company of Dr. Apeh, the Programme Chair of the Local Organising Committee (LOC); Dr. Osiatuma Azubuike, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba; and Mr. Majiri, a member of the planning committee.

The team’s visit focused on assessing logistics and infrastructure ahead of the high-profile gathering, which will attract nutrition and healthcare professionals from across West Africa and beyond. The delegation inspected the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, venue of the conference, and evaluated nearby facilities including security arrangements, transportation access, and accommodation options for delegates.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Teresa Pounds expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness and hospitality of the host institution, noting that the forthcoming conference will further strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in clinical nutrition, patient care, and research collaboration within the sub-region.

“We are very pleased with what we’ve seen so far in Asaba,” Dr. Pounds said. “This visit is an important part of our pre-conference planning process. We want to ensure that all delegates have a seamless experience — from scientific sessions to lodging and local support.

The 2026 conference will not only showcase advancements in parenteral and enteral nutrition, but also highlight Nigeria’s growing capacity to lead conversations around health and nutrition science in Africa.”

The WASPEN President also commended Dr. Azubuike Osiatuma, CMD of FMC Asaba, for his institution’s readiness to host the international event and for the hospital’s ongoing commitment to clinical excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration.

In her remarks, Dr. Apeh, Programme Chair of the Local Organising Committee, described the visit as “a vital step in aligning operational plans with WASPEN’s standards for scientific quality and delegate welfare.” She noted that the LOC is already working closely with FMC Asaba and the Delta State authorities to ensure a smooth and impactful conference experience.

The 5th WASPEN Annual Clinical Nutrition Conference is expected to bring together dietitians, pharmacists, physicians, nurses, researchers, and policy experts to explore the latest breakthroughs in nutritional science, hospital feeding systems, and patient-centered care.

With early preparations now underway, Asaba is set to welcome one of West Africa’s most significant scientific gatherings in 2026 — a forum expected to inspire collaboration, capacity building, and innovation across the region’s nutrition and healthcare ecosystem.