Following allegations of medical negligence over the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son, the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists has urged the Lagos State Government to ensure anaesthesia experts are part of the ongoing investigation.
The appeal comes after Adichie accused Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, where her son was treated before his death, of professional negligence. The hospital has denied the allegation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the National President of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, Alhassan Mohammed, welcomed the Lagos State Government’s decision to institute a probe into the incident. He commended the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency for commencing the investigation in line with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Mohammed noted that reports surrounding the incident suggest that the alleged negligence may be linked to the administration of anaesthesia during preparations for an MRI procedure. He therefore stressed the need for a senior and experienced physician anaesthetist to be co-opted into the investigative panel to ensure a detailed and objective review.
Describing the incident as deeply unfortunate, the NSA stated that the investigation also provides an opportunity to reassess anaesthesia practice in Lagos State and across Nigeria. The association expressed hope that the findings and recommendations of the panel would lead to improved standards of care and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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