Celebrated writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, of neglecting her one-year-old son, resulting in his death after a brief illness.
Ms. Adichie’s representatives confirmed the tragic passing of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, last Wednesday. She, along with her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, expressed deep devastation over the loss.
In a statement, Ms. Adichie blamed Euracare Hospital for her son’s death, alleging that an incident at the hospital on January 6 led to the tragedy. According to her, her son was admitted with a severe infection and was being prepared for transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital when the hospital staff administered a sedative that caused him to become unresponsive.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the one-year-old passed away at the hospital after experiencing seizures and a cardiac arrest. Ms. Adichie questioned the lack of proper monitoring after the sedation, emphasizing the negligence she believes occurred.
In response, Euracare Hospital denied the allegations of negligence, expressing condolences to Ms. Adichie and her family while defending their medical practices and expertise.
The hospital clarified that they followed established clinical protocols and provided necessary care to the critically ill patient, collaborating with external medical teams as requested. They acknowledged the family’s grief and initiated an investigation to address the incident thoroughly.
As the investigation continues, the hospital reiterated its commitment to transparency, patient safety, and supporting the grieving family during this difficult time. They emphasized their focus on compassion and responsible handling of the matter while respecting the family’s privacy and engaging in due process.