Atlantis Pediatric Hospital has said its medical team exercised “reasonable duty of care” in the treatment of the late son of writer Chimamanda Adichie.
The hospital made the statement following the interim suspension of its chief medical director by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel (MDPIP), which is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of the child.
In a statement on Monday, the hospital confirmed it received formal notification of the panel’s decision.
The MDPIP is investigating the death of 21 month old Nkanu Esege, the son of Adichie, who died after receiving medical attention at Euracare Multi Specialist Hospital. The matter is also before a coroner’s court in Lagos.
Atlantis Pediatric Hospital said it received a letter dated February 25, informing it of the interim suspension of its chief medical director, although the letter was delivered on March 5.
While acknowledging the development, the hospital said it would seek professional and regulatory guidance on how to address issues arising from the decision.
“As a healthcare institution dedicated to pediatric care, Atlantis Pediatric Hospital remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of medical practice, patient safety and professional responsibility.
“We are confident that all our medical professionals exercised reasonable duty of care and judgment in the discharge of their duties and this will be established in due course,” the hospital said.
The hospital noted that the case is already before the Lagos State Coroner’s Court, which is conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Management said the ongoing proceedings informed its decision to avoid extensive public comments.
“Due to the pendency of this matter before the court and out of respect for judicial integrity and process, our hospital will exercise restraint in making any public commentary on matters that are currently before a court of law,” the statement added.
The hospital said it would cooperate fully with the coroner’s inquest and other lawful investigations aimed at establishing the facts of the case.
Management also expressed sympathy to the Adichie Esege family.
“Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.”
Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, had earlier accused Euracare Multi Specialist Hospital of negligence following the death of their 21 month old son in January. The family’s lawyers alleged that the hospital and attending medical personnel breached their duty of care during medical procedures carried out on the child.
The Lagos State Government subsequently ordered an investigation into the incident, while a coroner’s inquest continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
