The family of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has pointed blame at a hospital after the renown US-based Nigerian author’s 21-month-old son died at the medical facility.
Per BBC, Adichie’s son, Nkanu Nnamdi, passed away at Euracare Hospital in Lagos on Wednesay, January 7. Nkanu was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for a short illness.
In a Saturday interview with Nigerian broadcaster Arise TV, Adichie’s sister-in-law, Dr. Anthea Nwandu, accused the hospital of making a number of errors when they were rendering medical aid to Nkanu.
RELATED STORIES
Dr. Nwandu claimed that Adichie, 48, was informed by the medical director of Euracare that her son “had received too much sedation.” The toddler is said to have suffered a cardiac arrest as a result.
Dr. Nwandu further claimed that the medical staff at Euracare did not attend to Adichie’s son, adding that he was not put on oxygen. Dr. Nwandu also said that the hospital transported the toddler in a way that was “not according to standard practice,” per BBC.
Dr. Nwandu said that Nkanu not being put on oxygen resulted in him suffering a brain injury. A private message that Adichie sent and contained allegations against the hospital was also leaked online. Adichie is said to have similary pointed blame at the hospital over her son’s death.
READ ALSO: 10 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quotes to liberate your thoughts
Speaking with BBC, the 48-year-old’s spokesperson, Omawumi Ogbe, said that Adichie shared that message with “a close circle of family and friends”, and “was not for public consumption.”
Ogbe added: “While we are saddened that such a deeply personal account of grief and trauma was leaked, the details therein highlight the devastating clinical failures the family is now forced to confront.
“We hope that the substance of that message, detailing the gross medical negligence that led to this tragedy remains the central focus even as we look forward to the truth and accountability.”
Euracare Hospital has since denied the allegations, saying that Adichie’s son received the required care, and it adhered to international standards. The hospital also said that the toddler was “critically ill” when he arrived there.
The hospital in their statement on Saturday said that though they understood the family was dealing with the “profound and unimaginable loss,” the “reports currently being circulated contain inaccuracies.”
The statement said that Nkanu had undergone treatment at two paediatric centres before he was referred to Euracare. When he arrived, staff “immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation.”
The satement added: “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.”
The hospital said that Nkanu died less than 24 hours after he was brought there, per BBC. The hospital also said that the toddler died “despite these concerted efforts.”
Euracare also said that a “detailed investigation” had since been launched, and it was “committed to engaging transparently and responsibly with all clinical and regulatory processes.”
Adichie and her husband Dr. Ivara Esege share a daughter and twin sons, one of which was Nkanu.
Adichie has won many awards for her novels including Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. Renown singer Beyoncé sampled Adichie’s 2012 Ted Talk and essay, We Should All Be Feminists, on her Flawless song.
