A former president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Francis Faduyile, has cautioned against conducting a “media trial” over the death of the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who died during a medical procedure at a Lagos hospital.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adichie’s son died in the early hours of January 7 following an emergency at Euracare Hospital, Lagos. The author has accused the hospital of negligence, alleging that her son’s death resulted from “criminal negligence” by the attending anaesthesiologist.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Faduyile, a professor of Pathology and Forensic Medicine at Lagos State University, questioned why the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the statutory regulatory body for medical practice, had yet to be fully constituted to investigate such allegations.
“It is important for our populace to know that there are different ways you can take charge of cases of medical negligence rather than going to the media,” Faduyile said.
“Every profession has its own ethics and regulations. Let us follow the process. Sometimes it may be long and torturous, but can you blame the populace? It may be difficult because they have lost a loved one and they are in deep grief.”
He added that the MDCN, if properly constituted and supported, was capable of handling such cases effectively.
“I can tell you that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, if given the necessary support base, would do what is necessary, and it would strengthen the medical profession in this country,” he said.
Faduyile also called on the Federal Government to explain the delay in setting up the council.
“We need to call on the government. Why are you hesitating to set up the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria? This is over one year. What is the reason? There is no reason. Almost all the members there are statutory.”
Legal Notice Served on Euracare
Meanwhile, Adichie and her family have served Euracare Hospital with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct led to their son’s death.
In the notice dated January 10 and issued by the law firm of Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the family accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist and attending staff of breaching their duty of care during a series of medical procedures.
The notice stated that the child died after being transferred for an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture and insertion of a central line, preparatory to a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
According to the family, the toddler—who was sedated with propofol—developed severe complications during movement within the hospital. They alleged inadequate monitoring, improper dosing, lack of supplemental oxygen, insufficient medical personnel and delays in responding to his deteriorating condition.
Lagos Government Orders Probe
The Lagos State Government has ordered an investigation into the incident.
In an earlier statement, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, said the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had visited Euracare Hospital and commenced a comprehensive review of the reports and allegations.
According to Ogunyemi, the agency will work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and other relevant bodies to ensure a credible investigation.
“The investigation will examine compliance with clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, and the roles of all parties involved. Findings will be made public,” she said.
