Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos has expressed sympathy to writer Chimamanda Adichie and her family following the death of their 21 month old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
In a statement, the hospital described the loss of the child as profound and heartbreaking and said it shared in the family’s grief. It added that some public accounts of the incident contained inaccuracies.
The statement read, “We extend our deepest sympathies to Chimamanda Adichie and family on the demise of their son and acknowledge the profound and unimaginable loss they are experiencing during this deeply distressing time. The loss of a child is beyond words, and we offer our most heartfelt condolences to his parents and the entire family.
“We find it necessary, for the record, to clarify that some of the reports currently being circulated contain inaccuracies.
“Our facility is a reputable centre for complex medical care, led by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team. The patient, who was critically ill, was referred to our facility for specific diagnostic procedures after receiving treatment for a period of time at two paediatric centres. Upon arrival, our medical team immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where clinically indicated.
“In the course of his care, we worked collaboratively with external medical teams as recommended by his family and ensured that all necessary clinical support was provided. Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility.”
The hospital said it has commenced a detailed internal review of the case and would cooperate fully with any regulatory or professional review process.
In a detailed statement, the author stated that her son was taken to Euracare on January 6 for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line in preparation for travel abroad for further treatment. She said the procedures required sedation.
She alleged that after her son was sedated with propofol, he was not properly monitored and became unresponsive. She said he was later resuscitated, placed on a ventilator and admitted to intensive care, where his condition deteriorated. According to her, he developed seizures and later suffered cardiac arrest before he died.
Adichie described what she said were lapses in care as medical negligence and raised concerns about the conduct of the anaesthesiologist involved in the procedure.
The hospital has not responded directly to the specific claims about sedation and monitoring. There has also been no public statement from medical regulatory authorities on the matter.
Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, had earlier announced the death of their son following a brief illness and asked for privacy as they mourn.
