LAGOS — In the wake of the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son, the Lagos State Government and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) have commenced separate investigations into allegations of medical negligence involving Eurocare Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Investigations by Vanguard revealed that the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMMA), the state’s hospital regulatory body, has already carried out an inspection visit to Eurocare Hospital to verify the claims and counterclaims circulating in the media.
A source within HEFAMMA disclosed that the visit was aimed at “establishing the facts, separating emotions from evidence, and ensuring fairness to both the hospital and the affected family.”
Further findings showed that petitions submitted by the family directly prompted the involvement of HEFAMMA, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the MDCN, Nigeria’s statutory regulator for medical practice.
Another source explained that HEFAMMA is currently working in close coordination with the MDCN to align their findings and ensure that any violations of professional ethics or medical standards, if proven, are appropriately sanctioned.
According to a senior health official familiar with the investigation, the joint approach is intended to “maintain credibility, prevent bias, and safeguard patient rights while also protecting professional integrity.”
Although no specific timeline has been announced for the conclusion of the investigations, it was learnt that all parties involved—the hospital, the family, and regulatory bodies—have agreed to cooperate fully to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness.
A source at the Lagos State Ministry of Health confirmed that investigations are ongoing, noting that site visits to the hospital were necessary.
“The matter is under investigation. We have visited the hospital because you cannot investigate without engaging directly with the facility involved,” the source said.
On when findings would be made public, the official added: “There is no fixed timeline, but the outcome will be released as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, a HEFAMMA official, commenting on the rising cases of alleged medical negligence nationwide, said the agency would continue to enforce compliance with healthcare standards.
“Our responsibility is to inspect, monitor, accredit and ensure adherence to established standards, and we will continue to do so,” the official stated.
Earlier, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had also announced plans to conduct an independent professional review of the incident. Sources confirmed that NMA officials have visited Eurocare Hospital as part of that process.
The controversy intensified after it emerged that the Chimamanda family had written multiple formal letters to the hospital’s management, demanding a comprehensive explanation of the medical care provided, decisions taken during treatment, and circumstances surrounding the alleged adverse outcome. Copies of the letters were also forwarded to regulatory authorities, calling for an independent and transparent probe.
Calls for stronger regulation
Since details of the Chimamanda case became public, more Nigerians have shared troubling personal experiences of alleged medical negligence, heightening concerns about patient safety within the country’s healthcare system.
Analysts believe the growing number of similar accounts has increased pressure on regulators to enforce medical standards more rigorously and ensure that allegations of negligence are thoroughly investigated rather than ignored.
Many observers see the Eurocare case as a potential turning point in how medical accountability is addressed in Nigeria. However, some stakeholders who spoke anonymously warned that both the Chimamanda family and Eurocare Hospital should avoid influencing public opinion while investigations are still ongoing.
They noted that the case has once again highlighted accountability gaps within Nigeria’s private healthcare sector, where allegations of malpractice have often lacked clear and transparent resolution.
One such testimony came from a Nigerian woman who alleged that a medical pad was mistakenly left inside her body after she was stitched for a cervical tear during childbirth. She said her husband noticed a whitish object shortly after delivery, which she initially assumed was part of her stitches.
According to her account, when pain and odour worsened days later, she sent a video to a nurse, who reportedly informed her that the object was a medical pad used during delivery and had been forgotten inside her body.
