Renowned author details alleged medical negligence leading to the demise of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has publicly accused a Lagos-based hospital of negligence that she claims led to the tragic death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu. In an emotional statement shared with family members, Adichie recounted the events surrounding the fatal incident, highlighting what she described as critical medical errors.

According to Adichie, the family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu fell ill. Initially believed to be a mild cold, his condition rapidly worsened, and he was admitted to Atlantis Hospital. Plans were underway for Nkanu to travel to the United States on January 7th with a team of traveling doctors, where specialists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore were ready to receive him. The U.S. team requested a lumbar puncture and an MRI, while the Nigerian doctors recommended placing a central line to administer intravenous medications in preparation for the flight.

Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Hospital, widely regarded as a top facility for such procedures. On January 6th, Nkanu was carried to Euracare by his father. Adichie explained that her son needed sedation for the MRI and central line procedure. She was waiting outside the operating theater when she noticed a flurry of activity and sensed something had gone wrong.

Adichie said that Dr. M emerged from the theater to inform her that Nkanu had been administered excessive propofol, leaving him unresponsive. Although he was initially resuscitated, Nkanu was soon intubated and placed on a ventilator in the ICU. Within hours, he suffered seizures and cardiac arrest. Tragically, he passed away shortly thereafter.

“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” Adichie stated, expressing her grief and shock over the incident.

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