In the wake of the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu, the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has confirmed it is observing ongoing reports of alleged medical negligence.
The National President of the NSA, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, spoke to journalists following the family’s official statement, which announced the tragic loss. The statement, issued by Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications, said that Nkanu Nnamdi, the child of the acclaimed novelist and her husband, Ivara Esege, passed away on January 7 after a brief illness.
“The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time”, the statement read.
In the days following the announcement, sources close to the family suggested that medical negligence at a Lagos private hospital, where Nkanu was receiving treatment prior to a planned evacuation to the U.S., could have contributed to his death.
Prof. Mohammed explained that any investigation would focus on establishing the facts. “The hospital involved is likely to conduct its own review, gathering oral testimonies and documented evidence. Patient records, whether electronic or manual, will be crucial”, he said.
He added that an independent review, if pursued, would examine several factors, including the registration status of the medical staff and facility, adherence to approved scopes of practice, compliance with medical protocols and whether any lapses contributed to the tragic outcome.
The NSA President emphasized that the society is awaiting additional information before making further public comments on the matter.
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