The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, has endorsed the campaign to end hospital malnutrition in Nigeria, urging government and health stakeholders to support the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) in strengthening nutrition care in hospitals nationwide.
The monarch made the call while receiving the Founder and President of WASPEN, Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, and her team during a courtesy visit to his palace in Asaba on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The visit was part of preparations for the 2026 Clinical Nutrition Conference slated for June 23–26 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.Describing hospital malnutrition as a “silent crisis” that undermines recovery and increases mortality, the Asagba commended WASPEN’s efforts to raise awareness and promote evidence-based nutrition practices.
He urged collaboration among government, private health institutions, and professional bodies to integrate effective nutrition support into hospital care protocols.
Dr. Isichei, a U.S.-based Nigerian clinical nutrition expert, said the forthcoming conference would train healthcare providers and policymakers on modern nutrition support practices.
She noted that Asaba was selected for the 2026 edition to promote regional inclusion and build local capacity following successful editions in Abuja and Lagos.
Earlier, the WASPEN delegation visited the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, who pledged the ministry’s full support for the initiative.
The visit concluded with royal prayers from the Asagba, who reaffirmed his commitment to promoting health-oriented programmes that advance human development and national wellbeing.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo