Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie alleges medical negligence at Lagos hospital in death of her son; Euracare denies claims as Lagos orders probe

Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has shared a harrowing account of the medical emergency that preceded the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, alleging “criminal negligence” during sedation ahead of an MRI and a “central line” procedure at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.

Adichie’s account describes how her family travelled to Lagos for Christmas, where Nkanu’s symptoms—initially thought to be a cold—worsened into a serious infection that led to admission at Atlantis Hospital. She says plans were made for an emergency medical evacuation to the United States on January 7, with a team at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore awaiting his arrival and requesting specific tests, including an MRI and lumbar puncture.

Chimamanda

According to her, Atlantis referred the family to Euracare for those procedures. She alleges that after sedation with propofol, her son was not properly monitored, suffered seizures and cardiac arrest, and died hours later.

Euracare responds: “inaccuracies” alleged; internal investigation opened

In response to the public outcry, Euracare Multispecialist Hospital issued a statement expressing condolences while disputing what it called “inaccuracies” in some circulating reports. The hospital said the child was “critically ill” at the time of referral, that care was provided in line with protocols and internationally accepted standards (including sedation where clinically indicated), and that it has commenced a “detailed investigation” under its clinical governance processes.

Lagos State orders independent investigation

Nigeria’s Lagos State Government has directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to launch an “immediate, independent, and transparent” investigation, with findings to be made public after conclusion. Premium Times reports that HEFAMAA said it would work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulators during the probe.

Why this matters

While the investigation will determine the facts, global anesthesia and sedation safety standards generally emphasize continuous evaluation of oxygenation, ventilation, and circulation during anesthesia.  Published clinical guidance on propofol sedation similarly stresses continuous monitoring (including pulse oximetry and frequent blood pressure checks as a minimum).

FULL STATEMENT (VERBATIM) — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Editor’s note (AbujaCity.com): The statement below is reproduced verbatim and attributed to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (“CNA”). It is presented as a direct quote to ensure proper credit and avoid misattribution.

“We were in Lagos for Christmas. Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital. He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a 'central line' (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu's flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done. The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father's arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the 'central line' procedure. I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened. A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive. How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the 'central line' procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu's oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU! The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed. We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child. We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child”. CNA