The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists has called on the Lagos State Government to include its members in the ongoing investigation into the alleged medical negligence that led to the death of the son of renowned writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The society made the call on Monday through its National President, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, following the state government’s decision to probe the incident involving a Lagos-based private hospital.
Mohammed welcomed the move by the Lagos State Government, noting that the investigation, being handled by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, was ordered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the controversy surrounding the case appears to be linked to anaesthetic management during a medical procedure.
“The alleged medical negligence appears to have centred around the physician anaesthetist, who was part of the team that carried out the procedure to facilitate the MRI,” Mohammed said.
He stressed the need for professional expertise in the probe, urging the government to co-opt an experienced anaesthetist into the investigative panel.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists strongly recommends that a senior and experienced physician anaesthetist be included in the investigative panel to ensure a comprehensive and technically sound review of the incident,” he added.
Describing the death as tragic, the NSA president said the situation presents an opportunity to critically assess anaesthesia practice in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
“This incident is deeply saddening, but it also provides an opportunity to reflect on and strengthen the practice of anaesthesia by faithfully implementing the recommendations that will emerge from the investigation,” Mohammed said.
He reaffirmed the society’s commitment to patient welfare, noting that the NSA would continue to uphold its guiding principle of “Safety First.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deceased child, 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi, was born to Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege. The toddler reportedly died on January 7 after a brief illness.
In a statement issued by Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications, the family expressed grief over the loss and appealed for privacy.
“The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.
The matter gained national attention after Adichie published a detailed account on social media accusing a Lagos hospital, Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, of negligence.
According to her account, her son was admitted for treatment after what was initially believed to be a minor illness but later developed into a severe infection.
She stated that the child was scheduled for an MRI and a central line procedure, which required sedation.
Adichie alleged that her son was given an excessive dose of propofol and was not adequately monitored afterward.
“He became unresponsive, developed seizures, and eventually went into cardiac arrest,” she wrote, alleging that these complications ultimately led to his death.
Reacting to the allegations, Governor Sanwo-Olu, through his Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, ordered a full investigation to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident.
The Lagos State Government assured the public that anyone found culpable of negligence, professional misconduct, or regulatory breaches would be sanctioned in line with existing laws and medical regulations.
