The management of Euracare Multispecialist Hospital has commenced an internal investigation into the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, following allegations of medical negligence levelled against the hospital.
Naijaonpoint reports that the development comes amid widespread outrage on social media after Adichie, on Saturday, accused staff of the hospital of professional misconduct that allegedly led to her son’s death.
In a detailed statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Adichie said her son was taken to Euracare on Tuesday for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line ahead of a scheduled medical evacuation to the United States.
She explained that Nkanu had initially developed what appeared to be a cold during the yuletide but was later diagnosed with a serious infection.
According to her, the child was first admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lekki and was due to travel to the U.S. on Wednesday, accompanied by medical professionals.
She said a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital had already been placed on standby and requested an MRI scan and lumbar puncture before evacuation.
Adichie said the family was advised to go to Euracare after being told it was the most suitable facility for the procedures.
Upon arrival, she said hospital staff informed them that her son would be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedures.
However, she alleged that the anaesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of propofol and failed to properly monitor the child afterward.
“I was waiting just outside the theatre. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theatre and immediately knew something had happened,” she said.
“A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anaesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated.”
She said the situation deteriorated rapidly, with Nkanu placed on a ventilator, moved to the ICU, and later suffering seizures and cardiac arrest.
“Some hours later, Nkanu was gone,” she said.
Adichie further alleged that her son was not monitored after being sedated.
“It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol,” she said, adding that the anaesthesiologist carried the child on his shoulder instead of placing him on proper monitoring equipment.
She also accused the anaesthesiologist of switching off her son’s oxygen after the central line procedure.
“How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him?” she asked.
Describing the incident as criminal negligence, Adichie said her son was stable before the procedure and was expected to travel the following day.
“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable. We came to conduct basic procedures, and suddenly our beautiful little boy was gone forever,” she said.
She also raised concerns about the anaesthesiologist’s past conduct, alleging that there were previous cases of children being overdosed.
“We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anaesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working?” she asked.
Hospital Denies Negligence, Begins Investigation
In a statement issued on Saturday, Euracare expressed condolences to Adichie and her family but denied that the child’s death resulted from medical negligence.
The hospital said the child was critically ill and had spent over a week receiving treatment at two paediatric facilities before being referred to Euracare for specific diagnostic procedures.
It said its medical team provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted standards, including sedation where medically indicated.
The hospital added that it worked closely with external medical teams recommended by the family and provided all required clinical support.
“Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility,” the statement said.
Euracare disclosed that it had commenced a “detailed investigation” in line with its clinical governance framework and pledged full cooperation with relevant regulatory authorities.
“As medical professionals, we carry the weight of this loss deeply,” the hospital said. “Our priority remains compassion, patient safety, and responsible handling of this matter.”