Malnutrition Awareness Week: Society Urges Action On Hospital Nutrition In Nigeria

West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has expressed concern over the high prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Nigeria, warning that the silent epidemic is worsening patient outcomes, prolonging recovery, and driving up healthcare costs.

Speaking at a virtual press conference on Monday to launch Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025, the President and Founder of WASPEN, Dr. Teresa Pounds, said this year’s campaign is themed “United Against Malnutrition”, in line with the global movement championed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).

Pounds noted that while malnutrition in communities often attracts attention, its impact in hospitals remains under-recognizsed despite affecting vulnerable groups such as surgical, paediatric, oncology, and elderly patients.

“Globally, one in three patients admitted to hospital is malnourished. In Nigeria, emerging studies show inpatient malnutrition rates of 30 to 45 percent. Among hospitalised children in Nasarawa, 41.2 per cent were malnourished, while 71.3 per cent of elderly patients in Enugu were found to be malnourished,” she said.

She added that patients who are malnourished often suffer delayed wound healing, higher risk of infections, longer hospital stays, and preventable re-admissions.

According to her, hospital malnutrition and community malnutrition are “two sides of the same coin” that must be addressed holistically.

“Over 30 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted and about seven per cent are wasted. Progress on one without the other leaves the circle incomplete,” she stressed.

To bridge data gaps, WASPEN announced a collaboration with a leading Nigerian institution to generate updated national data on hospital malnutrition prevalence. The society also reaffirmed its alignment with the global campaign that emphasies “Nutrition is a Human Right.”

This year marks the second edition of Malnutrition Awareness Week in Nigeria. While seven institutions participated in 2024, 17 are on board this year, alongside new regional partners from Cameroon and Ghana. The event will also feature expert-led webinars, institution-specific activities, and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

Pounds commended the government for its ongoing efforts in tackling community malnutrition but urged leaders to extend policies to cover hospital nutrition. “We must ensure patients recovering from surgery, those battling cancer, older adults, and children in fragile health receive proper nutrition care. Without it, recovery stalls and lives are placed at risk,” she said.

She further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national policymakers, professional societies, and regional partners to prioritise hospital nutrition in healthcare strategies.

Malnutrition Awareness Week runs from September 8 to 12, featuring expert webinars, and institution-led events across Nigeria and West Africa.