The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has called for its inclusion in the Lagos State Government’s investigation into the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, citing concerns over alleged medical negligence. NSA National President Prof. Alhassan Mohammed urged that a senior anaesthetist be co-opted into the investigative panel to ensure a thorough review of the incident.
Nkanu died on January 7 after a brief illness, which the family initially believed was a cold that later developed into a serious infection. The child was admitted to Euracare Multispecialist Hospital for an MRI and central line procedures, during which he reportedly received what Adichie described as an excessive dose of propofol, leading to seizures, cardiac arrest, and his eventual death.
Chimamanda Adichie publicly accused the hospital of negligence in a social media post, saying her son was not properly monitored after sedation. She revealed that Nkanu had been scheduled for treatment abroad, and the hospital’s handling of the procedures directly preceded his sudden deterioration.
In response, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death. The state government promised that any individual or institution found culpable of negligence or professional misconduct would face legal and regulatory consequences.
Prof. Mohammed of the NSA described the incident as tragic but emphasized it as an opportunity to reflect on anaesthesia practices in Lagos and across Nigeria. He reaffirmed the society’s commitment to its motto, “Safety First,” and called for diligent implementation of the investigative panel’s recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.