Ex-NMA President Urges Caution Over Chimamanda Adichie’s Negligence Claims

Former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Francis Faduyile, has urged caution over Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie’s allegations that an excessive dose of propofol was administered to her son.

He said it is important not to rush to conclusions as the claims of medical negligence must be established through proper investigation and not just media speculation.

“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.

Faduliye made these comments while speaking during an interview on Channels Television morning brief programme on Tuesday where he explained that the dosage of anaesthetic drugs such as propofol is determined on a patient-by-patient basis.

He says while administering such drugs, one must take into account factors like age, weight and physical response, and cannot be uniformly prescribed.

He also explained that adverse drug reactions, which are sometimes unpredictable, can occur even when correct procedures are followed, citing penicillin as an example of a commonly used drug that can trigger fatal reactions in some patients.

He said while reports suggesting an overdose may raise concern, it would be premature to describe such claims as an admission of negligence without the outcome of a formal probe.

“I doubt if any doctor will casually admit that the dosage of a drug was excessive,” he said, noting that medical practice relies on expert review rather than public assumptions.

According to him, in cases of suspected medical mishap, a team of experts is mandated to investigate by engaging the healthcare workers involved and reviewing clinical details.

He argued that only where it is established that the dosage exceeded acceptable standards for a patient’s age, sex and weight can negligence be determined.

He urged Nigerians to allow the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to carry out its statutory role, describing the council as an institution designed to protect the public rather than shield medical practitioners.

“The process of investigating and finding medical practitioners guilty is already established in the constitution and professional guidelines,” he said, adding that every case of alleged negligence should be reported and subjected to due process.

However, the professor of pathology and forensic medicine at Lagos state university, also wondered why the MCDN, a regulatory body of medical and dental practice in the country, expected to investigate the allegation by Adichie, has not been set up.

He called on the authorities to set up the Council as soon as possible.

“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.

“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,” he said.

“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 added.

According to him, thousands of patients receive proper treatment daily, although occasional medical mishaps do occur, which must be critically examined to determine responsibility.

He sympathized with families who lost loved ones but also appealed for balance, noting that a single death represents total loss to a family but should not be used to condemn the entire medical profession.

THE WHISTLER reports that author, Chimamanda Adichie, lost her 21-month-old son at Euracare hospital in Lagos in the early hours of January 7 following an emergency during a medical procedure at the medical facility.

The author had accused Euracare Hospital of negligence, alleging that her son’s death was the result of “criminal negligence” by the attending anaesthesiologist.

The celebrated author has served Euracare Hospital in Lagos with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional impropriety led to the death of her son.

In a legal notice dated 10 January, issued by the law firm of Kemi Pinheiro, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the couple accused Euracare Hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending staff of breaching their duty of care during a series of medical procedures.

The toddler died after being transferred for an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. These procedures were preparatory steps for a planned medical evacuation to the United States.

The notice claims that young Nkanu, who was sedated with propofol, developed severe complications during transfer within the hospital.

The parents alleged inadequate monitoring, improper dosing, lack of supplemental oxygen, insufficient medical personnel, and delays in responding to his deteriorating condition.

Worried by the situation, the Lagos State Government ordered an investigation into the death.

In a statement earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, said the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had visited the facility and begun a comprehensive review of all reports and allegations.

The agency said it would work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) 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,” Ogunyemi said.