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Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos has announced that it has launched an internal investigation following the death of Nnamdi Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, amid grave allegations of medical misconduct.
The hospital’s response comes after widespread public reaction to Adichie’s emotional account on social media, in which she accused members of Euracare’s medical team—particularly an anaesthesiologist—of negligence that she believes led directly to her son’s death.
According to Adichie, her son was taken to Euracare on Tuesday to undergo an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line. She explained that the procedures were requested by doctors in the United States ahead of his planned medical evacuation for advanced treatment.
In a detailed statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the award-winning writer recounted that her son fell ill during the festive season, initially showing symptoms similar to a common cold before deteriorating into what she described as “a very serious infection.”
She said Nnamdi had first been treated at Atlantis Hospital in Lekki and was scheduled to fly to the United States on Wednesday with the support of travelling doctors. Adichie noted that a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was already prepared to receive him and had requested that an MRI scan and lumbar puncture be carried out before the journey.
Adichie explained that the family was referred to Euracare after being assured that the hospital was best equipped to perform the procedures. Upon arrival, she said doctors informed them that her son would need to be sedated to remain still during the MRI scan and central line insertion.
However, Adichie alleged that the anaesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of propofol and failed to properly monitor her son afterward, triggering a rapid medical crisis.
Describing the moment things took a tragic turn, she wrote: “I was waiting just outside the theatre. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theatre and immediately knew something had happened.”
She continued, “A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anaesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly, Nkanu was on a ventilator. He was intubated and placed in the ICU.”
According to her account, complications escalated rapidly. “The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone,” she said.
Adichie further alleged that her son was never properly monitored after being sedated. “It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol,” she claimed, adding that the anaesthesiologist allegedly carried the child on his shoulder without ensuring adequate supervision.
She also accused the doctor of switching off her son’s oxygen following the procedure. “How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anaesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU,” she stated.
Calling the incident “gross misconduct,” Adichie said, “The anaesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed.”
Expressing profound grief, she added, “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.”
Adichie also raised concerns about the anaesthesiologist’s professional history, alleging prior cases involving overdoses in children. “We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anaesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child,” she said.
In its official response, Euracare Multispecialist Hospital expressed sympathy to the family but disputed claims that negligence caused the child’s death. In a statement issued on Saturday, the hospital said some narratives circulating online were inaccurate, particularly those suggesting a breach of medical standards.
The hospital explained that the child, who was critically ill, had been referred for “specific diagnostic procedures” after receiving care for more than a week at two paediatric hospitals. Euracare stated that its team followed internationally accepted clinical protocols and collaborated with external medical professionals recommended by the family.
“Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility,” the statement read.
Euracare confirmed that it has commenced a “thorough internal review” under its clinical governance framework and pledged to cooperate fully with regulatory authorities. The hospital also said it remains mindful of the family’s loss and will continue to offer support while investigations are ongoing.
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