The Lagos State Government has ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation into allegations of medical negligence following the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nkanu Nnamdi, one of Adichie’s twin sons, reportedly died on January 6 after a brief illness at a private hospital in Lagos. This deeply distressing incident prompted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to immediately commence a probe to establish both the immediate and underlying causes of death, and to determine if there were lapses in professional conduct or medical standards.

According to Adichie's detailed account, her son was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital for a severe infection. Plans were made for his medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States on January 7. As part of the pre-evacuation procedures, Nkanu was referred to Euracare Hospital for an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. Adichie alleged that during the procedure at Euracare, her son was administered an excessive amount of propofol by the anaesthesiologist, leading him to become unresponsive. Although he was resuscitated and placed on a ventilator, he later suffered seizures and went into cardiac arrest before his death. Adichie specifically accused Euracare Hospital of critical failures in care, including inadequate post-sedation monitoring and a failure to adhere to proper medical protocols.

Euracare Hospital, however, has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, the hospital described itself as a reputable center for complex medical care with an internationally trained clinical team. It asserted that the patient was critically ill upon referral and that its medical team provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted standards. The hospital has initiated a detailed internal investigation in line with its clinical governance standards and expressed its profound sympathy with the grieving family, acknowledging the deep weight of such a loss for medical professionals.

The Lagos State Government emphasized its commitment to protecting human life and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance against medical negligence or unprofessional conduct within any health facility in the state. HEFAMAA has already begun its inquiry, visiting the involved medical facility and commencing a detailed review of all relevant medical records, reports, and allegations. The agency will collaborate with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure the investigation meets professional and ethical standards. The probe's scope includes adherence to clinical protocols, patient safety standards, professional conduct of healthcare personnel, and the responsibilities of all parties involved. The government assured the public that the findings would be made public upon conclusion, with appropriate sanctions for any culpable individuals or institutions.

These allegations against Euracare Hospital are not isolated. Celebrity fashion designer Toyin Lawani has also publicly accused the same hospital of medical negligence following a spine surgery. Lawani shared on Instagram that she paid close to N100 million for the procedure at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital but suffered severe complications, including loss of leg use, severe lung complications, bleeding in her lungs, requiring a reoperation, and ultimately leading to her vocal cords being damaged after her lungs were punctured. She stated that she still struggles with speaking and walking and had to seek further treatment abroad for lung infections, and intends to pursue legal action against the hospital.

These incidents have reignited widespread conversations about medical errors and patient safety within Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in private hospitals. Nigerians have taken to social media platforms like X to share their personal experiences with alleged wrong diagnoses, pressured surgeries, and general hospital impropriety. Joe Abah, a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, recounted how a private hospital in Abuja pressured him into an immediate surgery that, after seeking second and third opinions (including abroad), was found to be completely unnecessary. He highlighted the importance of a