WASPEN, ISPEN Urge Nutrition Protocol Overhaul

The West African Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), in collaboration with the Indian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ISPEN), has called for an urgent overhaul of clinical nutrition protocols. During a global webinar, experts like Daphne Lovesley from Apollo Hospitals highlighted the widespread issue of hospital malnutrition, with up to 85% of patients in parts of Africa being malnourished upon admission. Delays in nutritional care beyond 24 hours significantly increase complications and mortality. Daphne Lovesley advocated for a mandatory 'golden hour' framework, recommending nutritional screening within six hours of admission, and the adoption of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework. Teresa Pounds, President of the West African Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, urged the Nigeria to implement structured clinical nutrition systems and fully operationalize the Nutritional Steering Committee (NSC) across healthcare facilities. The experts emphasized that nutrition care is a core component of successful treatment outcomes and requires stronger institutional commitment, including protected mealtimes and a 'food-first' approach.