Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Alleges Hospital Negligence in Death of 21-Month-Old Son
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Hospital in Lagos of medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, on January 6.
The award-winning writer was in Lagos for the holidays when her son, one of twins she shares with her husband Dr. Ivara Esege, reportedly fell ill with an infection. Nkanu died a day before he was scheduled to be flown to The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for further treatment.
In a leaked WhatsApp message shared with family and friends, Adichie alleged that the hospital gave her son excessive propofol sedation and failed to monitor him properly, leading to seizures and cardiac arrest. She described the anesthesiologist as “criminally negligent,” claiming he turned off Nkanu’s oxygen and carried him to the ICU.
A family spokesperson, Omawumi Ogbe, confirmed the contents of the private conversation to PEOPLE, emphasizing that the message, though not intended for public release, highlights the “devastating clinical failures” the family now faces.
Adichie expressed her grief in the message, saying, “Suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It’s like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of a child.” Her sister-in-law, Dr. Anthea Nwandu, told Nigerian broadcaster AriseTV that Nkanu suffered a brain injury caused by lack of oxygen.
The family has issued a legal notice to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital and plans to pursue accountability through the appropriate legal channels.
Euracare Hospital responded to The New York Times, stating that Nkanu arrived critically ill and denying that negligence contributed to his death. In a statement to the BBC, the hospital called the reports “inaccurate” and described the loss as “profound and unimaginable.”
The incident has sparked widespread public attention as Adichie and her family seek justice and transparency.
If you want, I can also make a more concise, emotionally impactful version for social media or online clicks—it would focus on Adichie’s grief and the hospital dispute while keeping key facts. Do you want me to do that?
