Malnutrition Impedes Patient Recovery in Nigeria – WASPEN

The West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has announced that malnutrition is the primary factor delaying patient recovery in Nigeria.

WASPEN President Dr. Teresa Pounds made the statement during a virtual press conference held on Monday to launch the organisation’s 5th annual conference.

Pounds described malnutrition as the most overlooked threat to patient safety and recovery in the country.

She noted that, despite Nigeria’s substantial human and material resources, 30–45 % of patients admitted to tertiary hospitals are already malnourished.

She also highlighted evidence linking malnutrition to longer hospital stays and higher rates of infection.

Calling on governments at all levels to take action, Pounds expressed concern that malnutrition has led to increased readmission and mortality rates nationwide.

Describing the issue as a silent epidemic, she urged all stakeholders to do everything possible to address the problem.

Pounds said, “Malnutrition remains one of the most under‑recognized threats to patient safety and recovery.”

“It affects patients across all stages of life—from premature newborns in neonatal intensive care units, to children battling severe illness, to adults living with chronic diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, and surgical conditions.”

“Evidence shows that hospital malnutrition is associated with longer hospital stays, increased infections, delayed wound healing, higher treatment costs, and increased readmission and mortality rates.”

“Hospital malnutrition is a silent epidemic in Nigeria. 30–45 % of patients in tertiary hospitals are malnourished on admission.”