PARALLAX SNAPS: Chimamanda Adichie’s Son’s Death and Doctors — One Day Monkey Go Go Market, E No Go Return

By Tony Okafor

The tragic death of the 21-month-old son of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has reopened a wound Nigerians know too well but have endured for too long: medical arrogance, negligence, and lack of accountability in many hospitals.

Renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has since taken decisive legal steps following the death of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, allegedly linked to medical negligence at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos.

The toddler reportedly died on January 7, 2026, after undergoing medical procedures at the facility.

In a formal legal notice served on the hospital, Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, an attending anaesthesiologist and other medical personnel of breaching their duty of care in the treatment of their son.

The notice, issued through the family’s lawyers, alleged serious lapses in paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care.
Among the concerns raised were claims of inappropriate administration of propofol and inadequate airway protection during the procedure, which the parents contend fell below acceptable medical standards for a child of that age.

The family has also demanded the immediate release of certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment, as well as the preservation of all relevant evidence, including monitoring data, logs and procedural notes.

The notice warned that failure to comply could result in full legal action against the hospital and the medical professionals involved.

The matter has since attracted the attention of the Lagos State Government. Officials confirmed at the weekend that the anaesthesiologist implicated in the case has been suspended pending the outcome of an official investigation, while state authorities have opened a probe to determine whether medical protocols were breached and to establish accountability.

Without prejudging facts still before investigators and the courts, the incident forces a hard national conversation.

Too many doctors practise medicine as if it were a throne rather than a duty.

Patients are often treated as inconveniences, denied empathy, explanation, and basic respect.

Medicine is a noble profession built on ethics, competence, and humility. Yet complaints of negligence remain widespread—delayed emergency responses, dismissal of patient concerns, poor post-procedure monitoring, absence of senior doctors at critical moments, and silence when things go wrong.

For decades, some doctors have operated as untouchables. Grieving relatives meet arrogance. Medical records vanish. Committees are are set more to protect colleagues than to uncover the truth.

But Nigeria is changing. Patients are more informed. Families are asking questions. Lawyers are paying attention. Social media is amplifying voices once silenced.

The era when deaths are dismissed as “God’s will” without scrutiny is fading.

The medical oath is not ceremonial. It is a promise to place human life above ego and carelessness. Doctors who forget this should remember a simple truth: one day monkey go go market, e no go return.

This is not a call for witch-hunting, but for responsibility—professionalism, empathy, diligence and humility. No title, coat or degree places anyone above human life.

Power abused will always answer to justice, sooner or later.

Nigerian doctors must return to the core of their calling, otherwise, one day monkey go go market, but e no go return.
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