The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, has launched parallel investigations into alleged medical negligence at Eurocare Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, following the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son.
Reports indicate that the Lagos State hospital regulatory body, the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMMA, has already carried out an inspection visit to the hospital to verify facts amid conflicting accounts circulating in the media.
A source within the agency said the visit was aimed at “ensuring that justice is served, facts are separated from emotions, and both the hospital and the family are treated fairly.”
Multiple sources disclosed that petitions written by the family directly triggered the involvement of HEFAMMA, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, and the MDCN, which is the statutory regulator of medical practice in Nigeria.
Another source said: “HEFAMMA is now working closely with the MDCN to harmonise findings and ensure that any breach of professional ethics or medical standards, if established, is properly addressed.”
A senior health official familiar with the process explained that the collaboration was designed to “guarantee credibility, avoid bias, and protect both patient rights and professional integrity.”
Although no official timeline has been announced for the conclusion of the investigations, it was gathered that all parties involved, including the hospital, the family and the investigating bodies, have agreed to cooperate fully to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness.
A source in the Lagos State Ministry of Health confirmed that the matter remains under investigation.
“The matter is under investigation. I cannot tell you anything beyond what the ministry has put out. But I can tell you that we have visited the hospital because if you are investigating, you must see the people you are investigating,” the source said.
On when the outcome would be released, the official added: “It will not be something lengthy. The result will be out as soon as possible. We don’t have a fixed timeline, but it will be as soon as possible.”
Another HEFAMMA official, speaking on rising cases of alleged medical negligence nationwide, said the agency would continue to enforce compliance with health standards.
“Our mandate is to inspect, monitor, accredit and ensure compliance with the standards we have set. So we will continue to inspect, monitor, accredit and enforce those standards,” the official said.
The NMA in Lagos State had earlier announced it would conduct an independent professional inquiry, with sources confirming that its officials have also visited the hospital.
The controversy intensified after it emerged that the Adichie family wrote several formal letters to Eurocare Hospital demanding detailed explanations of the treatment administered, the decisions taken during care and the circumstances surrounding the outcome. Copies of the letters were also sent to regulatory authorities, requesting an independent and transparent investigation.
Since the case became public, more Nigerians have shared accounts of alleged medical negligence, increasing public concern about patient safety and oversight within the country’s health sector.
