Renowned Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Hospital of serious medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, during a routine medical procedure in Lagos.
In a detailed personal account confirmed by her media representatives, Adichie alleged that her son died as a result of fatal sedation errors and inadequate monitoring, describing the incident as avoidable and a grave breach of medical protocol.
Family Visit to Lagos and Initial Illness
According to the author, her family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when her son developed symptoms initially believed to be a common cold. His condition reportedly deteriorated into a severe infection, leading to his admission at Atlantis Hospital.
Adichie said arrangements had already been concluded for an emergency medical evacuation to the United States on January 7, with a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore prepared to receive the child. As part of the preparation, doctors requested an MRI scan and lumbar puncture, while a central line was to be inserted to support intravenous treatment during the flight.
Procedures at Euracare Hospital
The family was referred to Euracare Hospital to carry out the required procedures. Adichie stated that her son was sedated to prevent movement during the MRI scan and central line insertion.
While waiting outside the operating area, she said she noticed unusual activity as medical personnel rushed into the theatre, prompting immediate concern.
“A short time later, I was told that Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, became unresponsive, and was resuscitated,” she recounted.
The child was subsequently intubated, placed on a ventilator, and transferred to the intensive care unit.
Allegations of Lapses in Care
Adichie alleged that her son was not properly monitored after sedation, questioning how a critically ill child could be sedated without continuous observation. She also claimed that the anesthesiologist carried the child without adequate monitoring, making it unclear when he became unresponsive.
She further alleged that after the central line procedure, her son’s oxygen supply was switched off before he was transported to the ICU.
“How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him?” she asked, describing the actions as criminally negligent and a clear violation of established medical standards.
Tragic Outcome
Despite efforts to stabilise him, Adichie said her son later developed seizures and suffered cardiac arrest—conditions he had never experienced prior to the procedure. He died several hours later.
“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day,” she said. “We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever.”
She described the loss as her “worst nightmare,” expressing deep anguish over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Concerns Over Practitioner History
The author also alleged that Euracare Hospital had prior knowledge of at least two earlier incidents involving alleged anesthetic overdoses linked to the same practitioner and questioned why the individual was allowed to continue practising.
“This must never happen to another child,” she said.
As of the time of publication, Euracare Hospital and the medical personnel involved have not issued an official response to the allegations.
This report is based on a personal account released by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and confirmed by her media team. Investigations or official findings, if any, are yet to be made public.
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