The management of Euracare Multispecialist Hospital has expressed sympathy and condolences to renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her family over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, lost one of their twin boys, with his death confirmed on Wednesday by the writer’s communications team in a statement signed by Omawumi Ogbe and shared with The Guardian.
The development comes amid allegations by Adichie that medical negligence at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, contributed to her son’s death. In a message sent to family and friends and later confirmed by her media team, Adichie alleged that the anaesthesiologist who attended to Nkanu was negligent and careless during what she described as a basic medical procedure carried out in preparation for the family’s planned trip abroad.
“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at the hospital on January 6,” the message read in part.
According to Adichie, her son initially developed symptoms she thought were a cold, which later worsened into a serious infection, leading to his admission at Atlantis Hospital. She said the family was scheduled to travel the following day, with a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore awaiting their arrival. However, the team reportedly requested a lumbar puncture and an MRI, while Nigerian doctors also decided to insert a central line in preparation for the flight.
Adichie said Atlantis Hospital referred them to another facility believed to be best equipped to carry out the procedures.
Reacting to the allegations, Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, in a statement issued on Saturday, expressed deep sympathy to the family and described the loss as profound and unimaginable.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Chimamanda Adichie and family on the demise of their son and acknowledge the profound and unimaginable loss they are experiencing during this deeply distressing time,” the hospital said.
The hospital, however, noted that some reports circulating in the public space contained inaccuracies. It described itself as a reputable centre for complex medical care, led by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team.
According to Euracare, the child, who was critically ill, was referred to its facility for specific diagnostic procedures after receiving treatment at two paediatric centres. The hospital said its medical team provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where clinically indicated.
Euracare added that it worked collaboratively with external medical teams recommended by the family and provided all necessary clinical support, but the child sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at the facility.
The hospital further disclosed that it has commenced a detailed internal investigation in line with its clinical governance standards and best practices, while committing to transparent engagement with all clinical and regulatory processes.
“As medical professionals, we carry the weight of this loss deeply. Our priority remains compassion, patient safety, and the responsible handling of this matter, while respecting the family’s privacy and allowing due process to take its course,” the statement added.