The family of Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital of negligence over the death of her 21-month-old son.
Nkanu Nnamdi died at a hospital in Nigeria on Wednesday following a short illness, leaving the family of the acclaimed postcolonial feminist writer “devastated”.
The family alleges a series of failures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos that led to the toddler’s death, including being denied oxygen and receiving excessive sedation, which reportedly caused a heart attack.
The hospital expressed its “deepest sympathies” over the loss of the child but denied any improper care, stating that its treatment adhered to international standards. It added that Nkanu had arrived “critically ill” and that an investigation into the death was underway.
Adichie’s sister-in-law, Dr Anthea Nwandu, made several allegations in an interview with Nigerian broadcaster Arise TV on Saturday. She claimed the medical director told Adichie that her son “had received too much sedation”, causing a heart attack.
Dr Nwandu also accused hospital staff of leaving the child unattended, denying him oxygen, and transporting him in a manner “not according to standard practice”. She alleged that Nkanu suffered a brain injury due to lack of oxygen.
Similar accusations regarding Nkanu’s care were made in a private message from Adichie that was leaked online. Her spokeswoman, Omawumi Ogbe, stated that the message had originally been shared within “a close circle of family and friends” and “was not for public consumption”.
Nkanu was one of twin boys Adichie shared with her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.
Responding to the allegations, Euracare Hospital acknowledged the “profound and unimaginable loss” the family was experiencing, but stated in a Saturday release that “reports currently being circulated contain inaccuracies”.
The hospital said Nkanu, who was critically ill, had been referred after receiving treatment from two paediatric centres. Upon arrival, staff “immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation”.
It added that care was provided collaboratively with external medical teams as recommended by the family, ensuring that all necessary clinical support was provided.
However, “despite these concerted efforts”, the boy died less than 24 hours after arriving at the hospital.
—BBC Africa
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