Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a Lagos-based hospital of gross medical negligence.
She alleges that lapses in care led to the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
In an emotional statement shared with close family members and friends, the celebrated writer recounted the events that unfolded during her son’s treatment in Lagos.
Also, she describes the experience as her “worst nightmare” and a loss she believes she will never recover from.
According to Chiamanda Adichie, Nkanu had initially shown symptoms resembling a cold while the family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays.
How It Happened
Also, his condition, however, quickly deteriorated into a severe infection, prompting his admission to Atlantis Hospital.
Plans were already underway for the toddler to be flown to the United States on January 7.
Also, he accompanied by travelling doctors, with a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore prepared to receive him.
She explained that doctors recommended further procedures.
This includes a lumbar puncture, an MRI, and the insertion of a central line ahead of the flight.
Also, Atlantis Hospital subsequently referred the family to Euracare Hospital, described to them as the most suitable facility for carrying out the procedures.
Euracare Hospital
Adichie said that on the morning of January 6, her son was taken to Euracare, where he was sedated for the MRI and central line procedure.
While waiting outside the theatre, she noticed frantic activity among medical staff and immediately sensed that something had gone wrong.
She was later informed that Nkanu had been administered an excessive dose of propofol by the anaesthesiologist, rendering him unresponsive.
Although he was reportedly resuscitated, he was placed on a ventilator, transferred to the ICU, and soon began experiencing seizures and cardiac arrest.
The Anaesthesiologist
The author alleged that her son was not properly monitored after being sedated.
Also, she claims that the anaesthesiologist casually carried him without ensuring adequate observation or oxygen support.
She further accused the doctor of switching off her son’s oxygen after the procedure and failing to follow established medical protocols.
Adichie described the actions as “criminally negligent,”
Also, she accused the anaesthesiologist of reckless disregard for her child’s life.
She also revealed that the family later learned of previous cases allegedly involving the same doctor overdosing children.
“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable, expecting to carry out routine procedures before his flight. Instead, our beautiful son was gone forever,” she stated
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Also, she added that no parent should ever have to endure such a loss.
She concluded by calling for accountability, stressing that such an incident must never be allowed to happen to another child.
