librairie mollat, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a Lagos-based medical facility of grave negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, describing the loss as an irreversible personal tragedy.
In a deeply emotional statement shared privately with family members and close friends, Adichie alleged that her son’s death resulted from serious lapses in medical care during a routine procedure at Euracare Hospital, Lagos, on January 6.
She maintained that her child would still be alive if proper medical protocols had been followed.
According to the account, the family had travelled to Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed what initially appeared to be a minor illness but later progressed into a serious infection.
He was admitted to Atlantis Hospital, where arrangements were made for him to be flown to the United States the following day under the supervision of travelling doctors. A specialist medical team in Baltimore was reportedly prepared to receive him.
As part of preparations for the transfer, doctors requested diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan, and the insertion of a central intravenous line. Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Hospital to carry out the procedures.
Adichie stated that her son was sedated for the procedures, but alleged that an excessive dosage of an anaesthetic drug was administered.
She said her son subsequently became unresponsive and was later placed on life support in the intensive care unit. Complications reportedly followed, leading to his death hours later.
She further alleged that her son was not adequately monitored after sedation and claimed that basic safety protocols were ignored.
Adichie described the conduct of the attending anaesthesiologist as “criminally negligent” and accused the hospital of allowing the doctor to continue practising despite alleged prior incidents involving children.
The author questioned how a critically ill child could be sedated without continuous monitoring and called for accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The allegations have sparked widespread public reaction and renewed calls for stricter oversight of private healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
Adichie concluded her statement by saying the loss of her son has left an unfillable void, adding that no parent should ever endure such pain.
