The Lagos State Government has ordered a full-scale investigation into the alleged medical negligence that reportedly led to the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a private hospital in Lagos.
The toddler, one of the celebrated writer’s twin sons, died last Thursday after a brief illness.
Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described the death of a child as a “profound tragedy.”
She disclosed that the governor had directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to immediately commence a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ogunyemi said, “In line with this commitment, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to immediately commence a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a view to unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the death.”
According to her, HEFAMAA has already visited the private medical facility involved and commenced a comprehensive review of all allegations and reports connected to the case.
She added, “In line with this directive, HEFAMAA has since commenced investigation and has visited the facility involved as part of the ongoing inquiry. The agency will conduct a comprehensive review of all allegations and reports relating to the incident.”
The health adviser further stated that the agency would collaborate with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that the investigation is credible, professional and exhaustive.
She said the probe would examine compliance with established clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all individuals and institutions involved.
“The investigation will examine the allegations raised, including compliance with established clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, and the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved,” the statement noted.
Findings To Be Made Public
Ogunyemi assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be made public once concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability.
“Findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as the process is concluded, in the interest of transparency and public accountability,” she said.
She also warned that any individual or health facility found culpable of negligence, professional misconduct, or regulatory violations would face appropriate sanctions in line with existing laws.
Meanwhile, Adichie, in a statement issued on Saturday, alleged that her son’s death resulted from what she described as “criminal negligence” on the part of the medical personnel involved.
She specifically accused the anaesthesiologist in charge of being “criminally negligent, fatally casual, and careless with the precious life of a child.”
According to the author, her son initially showed symptoms consistent with a mild cold, but his condition later deteriorated rapidly into a severe infection.