The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has announced that it is closely following allegations of possible medical negligence linked to the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The society said it is awaiting verified facts as concerns continue to circulate about the circumstances surrounding the child’s passing.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Saturday, the National President of the NSA, Professor Alhassan Mohammed, confirmed that the professional body is monitoring developments related to the case. According to an official family statement released by Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications, the toddler died on January 7 after a short illness. The statement described the loss as devastating and appealed to the public to respect the family’s privacy during the period of mourning.
In the days following the announcement, reports from individuals close to the family suggested that lapses in medical care at a private hospital in Lagos may have contributed to the child’s death. The sources claimed that Nkanu had been admitted for certain medical procedures in preparation for a planned medical evacuation to the United States, but his condition reportedly worsened while still at the facility.
Addressing the allegations, Professor Mohammed explained that the hospital involved would most likely begin with an internal review to establish the facts surrounding the case. He noted that such a process would involve examining both oral accounts and documented medical records, whether stored manually or electronically, to determine what transpired before the child’s death.
He further stated that if the family chooses to pursue the matter, an independent investigative panel could be set up to conduct a broader inquiry. According to him, any formal investigation would focus on key issues such as the accreditation and registration status of the medical personnel and facility involved, compliance with approved scopes of medical practice, adherence to established clinical protocols, and whether any form of negligence occurred.
Professor Mohammed emphasized that conclusions can only be drawn after a thorough and transparent investigation, underscoring the importance of due process in handling sensitive cases involving alleged medical malpractice.
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