Euracare Hospital says it has launched an internal investigation into allegations of medical negligence following the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The hospital confirms that the child died after a medical emergency during a procedure at its Lagos facility.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the incident occurs after Adichie publicly alleges that her son’s death results from what she describes as “criminal negligence” by an anesthesiologist at the hospital. The author states that her child was sedated for medical procedures and was not properly monitored, leading to severe complications.
Adichie explains that her family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when her son developed symptoms initially believed to be a minor cold. She says the condition quickly worsened into a serious infection, prompting his admission to a pediatric facility before plans were made to fly him to the United States for advanced care.
She adds that medical teams abroad had requested diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan, which led to a referral to Euracare Hospital. During the procedure, Adichie alleges that excessive sedation was administered and that appropriate monitoring protocols were not followed, resulting in seizures, loss of responsiveness, and eventual cardiac arrest.
In a formal response obtained by Mediaplusng.com, Euracare Hospital expresses deep sympathy to the family and describes the loss as profound and unimaginable. The hospital says it understands the grief surrounding the incident and acknowledges the emotional weight of losing a child under any circumstance.
Euracare, however, disputes parts of the public narrative surrounding the case. The hospital states that some reports circulating in the media contain inaccuracies and do not fully reflect the clinical situation or the care provided to the child.
The hospital explains that the child was critically ill upon referral and had already received treatment at two pediatric centers before arriving at Euracare. According to the statement, the referral was specifically for advanced diagnostic procedures as advised by medical teams working with the family.
Euracare says its medical staff provided immediate and appropriate care in line with established clinical protocols and in coordination with other healthcare providers involved in the child’s treatment. Despite these efforts, the hospital notes that the child passed away less than 24 hours after admission.
The hospital confirms that a detailed internal review is now underway. It says the investigation will follow strict clinical governance standards and will examine all aspects of care provided before and during the procedure.
Euracare reiterates its commitment to transparency, patient safety, and accountability. It also assures the public that it is fully open to reviewing its processes and addressing any gaps identified during the investigation.
The hospital further states that it remains available to support the family through the grieving process and will cooperate with any external reviews or regulatory requirements if necessary.
The incident has sparked widespread public concern and renewed conversations about patient safety, pediatric care, and accountability within Nigeria’s private healthcare system. Medical professionals and civil society groups are calling for calm while investigations continue.
As the probe progresses, Euracare says it will communicate outcomes in line with medical ethics and legal guidelines. For now, the hospital emphasizes compassion for the bereaved family while seeking to establish a clear and factual understanding of the events that led to the child’s death.
