Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Details Son’s Death in Statement Alleging Hospital Failures

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has confirmed that she authored a deeply personal statement describing the circumstances surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. The account, first shared privately and later reported by Nigerian media, alleges serious failures in medical care during procedures at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital. The hospital disputes claims of negligence and says it has begun an internal investigation. No independent findings have yet been released.

The family was in Lagos for the Christmas period when Nkanu developed an illness initially believed to be a cold. His condition worsened, and doctors admitted him to Atlantis Hospital for treatment. Physicians arranged an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, with a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital prepared to receive him on January 7.

Ahead of the planned transfer, doctors requested an MRI, a lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a central line. Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare on January 6 to carry out the procedures. Medical staff sedated the child to prevent movement during imaging and line placement. Shortly after, the child suffered a medical emergency. He was later placed on a ventilator and transferred to intensive care. He died several hours later, before the evacuation could take place.

Allegations and the Hospital Response

In her statement, Adichie alleges that an anesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of propofol and failed to monitor her son after sedation. She says he became unresponsive, later developed seizures, and went into cardiac arrest. She also claims the anesthesiologist transported the child without continuous monitoring, making it unclear when his condition deteriorated.

Adichie further alleges that the same anesthesiologist had been involved in two prior pediatric overdose incidents and questions why the hospital allowed him to continue working. Her media team has confirmed that she stands by the account, while noting it was initially shared only with family and close friends.

Euracare Hospital has issued a public statement expressing condolences to the family and rejecting claims of negligence. The hospital says some reports contain inaccuracies and that it followed accepted clinical protocols. It has announced an internal review but has not released further details. As of publication, no regulatory body has issued findings, and no external investigation results are public.

The family has asked for privacy as they grieve, while the case continues to draw national attention and renewed scrutiny of patient safety standards in private healthcare settings.