Private Hospital Under Pressure As Govt Begins Probe Of Chimamanda’s Son’s Loss

Was there negligence on the part of the private hospital that treated Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie?

This is the riddle that the Lagos State government has set out to resolve, ordering an investigation into the case.

The probe move is coming amidst a statement the hospital issued yesterday, expressing sympathy to Adichie and her family.

Notwithstanding, the Lagos State Government while acknowledging it had been notified of the death.

In a statement, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the state government expressed its condolences to the bereaved family, adding however that the administration placed the highest value on human life and a zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional conduct in any health facility operating within the state.

It added 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.

“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.

“In line with this directive, HEFAMAA has since commenced investigation and has visited the facility involved as part of the ongoing inquiry.

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“The agency will conduct a comprehensive review of all allegations and reports relating to the incident,” the statement said.

The statement said that the agency will also collaborate with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure a credible and professional investigation.

“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.

“Findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as the process is concluded, in the interest of transparency and public accountability,” the statement added.

The Eagle reports that cases like this one involving Nkanu Nnamdi, not only reminds the authorities of the need to put an eye beyond the private hospital but also on other key agencies, organisations and institutions in society around which life depends, but also put practitioners on those sectors ever on their toes.

The Eagle also reports that just last September, HEFAMAA commemorated the World Patient Safety Day 2025, on Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 , with a focus on the safety of newborns and children, underscoring the importance of safeguarding lives from the very start.