Experts Highlight Anaesthetist Shortage As Chimamanda’s Lawyers Give Hospital Ultimatum Over Son’s Death

The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has called for a thorough, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a toddler during a medical procedure at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The incident, which has sparked widespread public concern following allegations by the family of the late child, has drawn renewed attention to the safety of anaesthesia practice and the role of qualified anaesthetists in Nigeria.

In an interview with our correspondent, Dr Nnanna Agwu, Public Relations Officer of the NSA and Consultant Anaesthetist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), stated that the association is closely monitoring developments and insists that the case must be reviewed in detail to establish what truly transpired.

“We have heard the allegations from the family and the statement from the hospital. To me, an independent and unbiased investigation is necessary. The death of one person is 100 per cent to the family, and it is not something to be swept under the carpet,” Dr Agwu said.

He stressed that incidents like this should serve as learning points to strengthen systems and prevent similar occurrences.

In a formal statement addressed to the Lagos State Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, NSA President Professor Alhassan Datti Mohammed commended the Lagos State Government for promptly directing the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to investigate the case.

The Society urged the government to include a senior, experienced physician anaesthetist in the investigative panel to ensure a thorough and technically sound review of the events leading to the child’s death.

“This incident is a sad one indeed, but it offers an opportunity to reflect on the practice of anaesthesia and improve safety by diligently implementing the recommendations of the investigative panel,” the NSA said in the statement, reaffirming its motto: Safety First.

Regarding the shortage of anaesthetists in the country, Dr Agwu revealed that there are only about 800 to 900 consultant anaesthetists, which is far below global recommendations.

“There is no way that number can be enough. Some states have just 10 to 15 consultant anaesthetists.  Burnout is a real issue,” he said.

He added that surgery cannot take place without an anaesthetist and warned against the growing trend of untrained personnel attempting to administer anaesthesia.

“The drugs we use are delicate and potentially dangerous. If they are administered by someone who is not properly trained, anything can go wrong,” he cautioned.

Dr Agwu urged the government to introduce incentives to attract more young doctors into anaesthesia, strengthen training programmes, and curb the brain drain affecting the speciality.

“No doctor wants a patient to die. But to prevent avoidable tragedies, we need proper staffing, proper training, and stronger systems,” he said.

The NSA emphasised that while investigations proceed, the focus should remain on uncovering the truth, learning from the incident, and improving patient safety nationwide.

Also, The National Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Ejigah Friday, said on Sunday, ” An anesthesiologist is a trained medical professional who administers anaesthesia. Anaesthesia literally means ‘without sensation’ or ‘loss of sensation,’ achieved through medication to suppress pain, consciousness or awareness. ”

According to him, anaesthesia providers conduct pre-anaesthetic assessments to determine if a patient is fit for anaesthesia, monitor the patient throughout the procedure and manage pain.

He said that any allegation of error or malpractice in anaethesia is taken seriously and could lead to withdrawal of licence.

Meanwhile, Lawyers representing renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, have issued a 7-day ultimatum to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, demanding complete medical records and evidence preservation in relation to the tragic death of their 21-month-old son, Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

The child, born on March 25, 2024, died on January 7, 2026, during medical procedures at the hospital.

In a letter dated January 10, 2026, from Pinheiro LP and signed by Founding Partner of the law firm, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, the lawyers outlined the events leading to the child’s death and accused the hospital of care lapses.

The law firm claimed, in the letter addressed to the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, that the deceased was referred from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for various procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, PICC line insertion, and lumbar puncture, in preparation for transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where a specialist team was awaiting.

They also stated that sedation with propofol was administered, but during transfer after the MRI, the child experienced sudden complications resulting in his death.

They alleged, “A preliminary evaluation of the facts, viewed against established standards of paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care, raises serious and substantive concerns,” and identified 12 specific issues.

“These included the appropriateness of propofol use, dosing, airway protection during sedation, lack of oxygen during transfer, absence of monitoring, and failure to follow pediatric anaesthesia and patient safety protocols.

“The foregoing matters disclose prima facie breaches of the duty of care owed to the deceased child, and held the hospital, the anaesthesiologist, and all attending medical staff liable for medical negligence that led to his death.

The letter specifically demands that the hospital release within seven days certified copies of all records related to the child’s care, including admission notes, consent forms, drug charts, monitoring and procedural records, ICU reports, incident reports, and details of all involved medical personnel.

Additionally, the hospital is formally instructed to preserve all evidence relevant to this matter, whether physical, electronic, or digital,” such as CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal reviews.

The lawyers warned that destroying or altering evidence after receiving the notice will be considered obstruction of justice, with legal consequences.

They stated that failure to comply within seven days would result in further legal, regulatory, and judicial actions against the hospital and its personnel, with the plaintiffs’ rights and claims fully reserved.