Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the acclaimed Nigerian author, has accused a Lagos hospital of hindering an investigation into the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu. The inquest was scheduled to commence in April but has faced delays, which Adichie attributes to Euracare hospital's actions.
In her statements, Adichie claims that the hospital has "stalled and muddied and obfuscated" the inquiry and has even sought to prevent it from proceeding by requesting intervention from Nigeria's Federal High Court. This follows a prior investigation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which suggested potential medical negligence on the part of the hospital.
Adichie's son passed away on January 7 after being treated at Euracare for what was initially a mild illness. The family had intended to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for further care, but he was referred to Euracare for pre-flight assessments, including an MRI and a spinal tap.
In a letter shared on social media, Adichie expressed her frustration with the hospital, questioning their commitment to truth amid the delays. She pointed out discrepancies in the medical records provided by Euracare, which she described as "strikingly unprofessional," and contested the hospital's claim that her son's death was due to bacterial meningitis.
Adichie and her family have alleged that negligence occurred during her son's care, specifically citing that he was denied oxygen and received excessive sedation, which they believe contributed to a cardiac arrest. While Euracare has extended its condolences, it has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its medical practices adhered to international standards.
The author, known for her works such as "Half of a Yellow Sun" and "Americanah," has been vocal about her grief, stating that the hospital's actions have compounded her suffering. She had been in Nigeria for the Christmas holidays when the tragic incident occurred.
Reported by HarborBeat based on MyJoyOnline (source).
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