The Lagos State Government has directed an investigation into allegations of medical negligence surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a private hospital in the state.
Adichie, in a statement released on Saturday, alleged that her son died as a result of what she termed “criminal negligence,” accusing the anaesthesiologist involved of being “criminally negligent, fatally casual, and careless with the precious life of a child.”
She said the toddler initially developed symptoms of a mild cold, which later worsened rapidly into a severe infection.
Responding to the claims, Euracare Hospital, where the child was reportedly treated, announced that it had launched an internal review of the incident.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the hospital expressed sympathy to Adichie and her family, describing the loss as “profound and unimaginable,” while noting that some public accounts of the incident were inaccurate.
Euracare described itself as a reputable medical centre providing complex care through internationally trained and experienced professionals. The hospital explained that the child had been critically ill and was referred to its facility for specific diagnostic procedures after receiving care at two other paediatric centres.
According to the hospital, its medical team administered immediate treatment in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted standards, working in collaboration with external medical teams as advised by the family. It, however, confirmed that the child passed away less than 24 hours after being admitted.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government said it had been formally notified of the “deeply distressing” report by Adichie regarding her son’s death following a medical incident at a private healthcare facility on January 6.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, the state government conveyed its condolences to the author and her family, describing the death of a child as a profound tragedy and assuring that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
