Lagos: The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has announced that it is closely monitoring allegations of medical negligence linked to the tragic death of Chimamanda Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu. The information was revealed by the NSA’s National President, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a family statement confirmed that Nkanu Nnamdi, the son of the renowned novelist and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, passed away on January 7 following a brief illness. The statement, issued by Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications, expressed the family’s devastation and requested privacy during this difficult period.
Reports have surfaced alleging that medical negligence at a private hospital in Lagos, where Nkanu was taken for medical procedures before a planned evacuation to the U.S. for further treatment, may have been a factor in the child’s death. Prof. Mohammed mentioned that the hospital involved is likely to initiate its own investigation, gathering both oral and documented evidence to uncover more details.
Mohammed outlined that the investigation would review the registration status of individuals and facilities, compliance with approved scopes of practice, adherence to medical protocols, and determine whether negligence played a role in the incident. The findings could lead to the formation of an independent investigative panel, should the family choose to pursue the matter further.