The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, has commended the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) for its sustained efforts toward tackling hospital malnutrition and promoting nutrition awareness across Nigeria.

The monarch made the commendation during a courtesy visit by the Founder and President of WASPEN, Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, to the Asagba’s Palace on Monday, November 10, 2025. Dr. Isichei, who was accompanied by other team members among whom are Mr. Nnamdi Isichei, briefed the monarch on preparations for the forthcoming 2026 Clinical Nutrition Conference, scheduled to hold from June 23 to 26, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.

HRM Asagba Azinge lauded WASPEN’s focus on hospital nutrition support, describing it as a timely and vital intervention in addressing malnutrition among hospitalized patients — an issue he said requires urgent national attention.

“It is good to know that our Asaba people are excelling globally and giving back to their communities in impactful ways,” the monarch said. “Hospital malnutrition is a silent challenge, and I commend Dr. Isichei and WASPEN for leading this important cause. I call on the government, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to support this initiative so that hospital malnutrition can become a thing of the past.”

He assured the WASPEN team of his palace’s support in ensuring the success of the 2026 Clinical Nutrition Conference, noting that such efforts contribute to community development and improved healthcare delivery.

“Asaba sons and daughters in the diaspora are critical stakeholders in the growth of our kingdom,” he added. “Your work shows that through unity and purpose, our people can bring global excellence home.”

In her remarks, Dr. Isichei, a renowned expert in the nutrition support of malnourished patients based in Atlanta, expressed her gratitude to the monarch for his blessings and encouragement. She noted that she has held several medical and nutrition conferences in Abuja and Lagos but felt it was time to bring such impact home to Asaba.

“I have been visiting Nigeria over the years and was among those who influenced the Bachelor of Science to Pharm.D transition,” she explained. “We are bringing this conference to Asaba to create awareness, train healthcare providers, and promote hospital nutrition support that can save lives.”

She further appealed to the Asagba to help attract government and institutional support for the program, stressing that the forthcoming conference will provide a platform for medical experts, policymakers, and nutritionists to discuss practical interventions against hospital malnutrition.

Earlier, Dr. Isichei and her delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the office of Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, the office pledged full support for the 2026 conference and assured her of the ministry’s collaboration in ensuring its success.

The visit concluded with the Asagba offering Royal blessings upon Dr. Isichei and her team, praying for the continued success of WASPEN’s humanitarian initiatives in Nigeria and across West Africa.