Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have served a legal notice on a private hospital in Lagos following the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
In the notice dated January 10 and issued by the law firm of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, the couple accused Euracare Hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical staff of medical negligence and breach of duty of care.
According to the notice, the toddler died in the early hours of January 7 after undergoing a series of procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a central line, as part of preparations for a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
The family alleged that complications developed after the child was sedated and transferred within the hospital, citing poor monitoring, improper drug administration, lack of adequate oxygen support, insufficient medical personnel, delayed response to distress, and concerns over informed consent and resuscitation equipment.
They have formally requested certified copies of all medical records related to their son’s treatment within seven days and warned against any destruction of evidence.
Euracare Hospital has not responded publicly to the legal notice but had earlier denied any wrongdoing, stating that the child was critically ill on arrival and that all care provided followed established medical protocols.
The hospital also said it had begun an internal review and expressed sympathy to the family.