The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has called for its formal involvement in the Lagos State Government’s investigation into the alleged medical negligence surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The call was made on Monday by the National President of the NSA, Professor Alhassan Mohammed, in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mohammed commended the Lagos State Government for ordering a probe into the incident and welcomed the move by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to commence investigations, following directives from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to the NSA president, the allegations raised by Adichie point to issues directly linked to anaesthetic practice, making it imperative for a senior and experienced physician anaesthetist to be co-opted into the investigative panel.
“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. “In this regard, the NSA strongly recommends that a senior and experienced physician anaesthetist be involved for a comprehensive and professional review of the incident.”
Describing the case as tragic, Mohammed noted that it also presents an opportunity for critical reflection on anaesthetic practice in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. He assured that the NSA remains committed to its guiding principle of “Safety First” and pledged the society’s cooperation with authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
First daily reports that Nkanu Nnamdi died on January 7 after a brief illness. A statement issued earlier by the family’s representatives said the family was devastated by the loss and appealed for privacy during the period of mourning.
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Over the weekend, Adichie shared a detailed account on social media, accusing Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, Lagos, of negligence. She alleged that her son, who was scheduled for medical evacuation abroad, was given an excessive dose of propofol, was not properly monitored, and subsequently suffered seizures and cardiac arrest, leading to his death.
In response to the public outcry, the Lagos State Government, through the Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, announced the commencement of an investigation to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident. The government assured Nigerians that any individual or institution found culpable of negligence, professional misconduct, or regulatory violations would face appropriate legal sanctions.
The case has continued to generate widespread public concern, reigniting debates around patient safety, professional oversight, and accountability within Nigeria’s healthcare system.