Grieving acclaimed global writer and Odelu Uwa of Oba in Anambra State, Chief Chimamanda Adichie, has given insight into the circumstances leading to the loss of her son, Nkanu Esege, January 6, just as he was scheduled to travel to the United States of America the following day.
The Odelu Uwa who shared the painful loss, blamed the death of the boy on what she described as the criminal negligence of the anaesthesiologist at the Euracare Hospital Lagos, where the ailing child was being treated based on referral before the avoidable death took him away.
Narrating the saddening incident, she said “We were in Lagos for Christmas. Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital.
He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done.
The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father’s arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the ‘central line’ procedure.
I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened.
A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone
It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive.
How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!
The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed.
We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.
We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child.”
Since the loss occured, a flurry of condolences have been pouring in, all comforting Chimamanda Adichie. Among the prominent people that have sympathized with the famed writer was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu had on Thursday condoled with author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, and their family over the death of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege.
In a statement personally signed, the President described the loss of a child as one of the most devastating experiences any parent can endure.
“With a deep sense of grief, I condole with Ms. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, and the entire family on the passing of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi,” Tinubu said.
“As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child. I empathise with the family at this difficult time, and I mourn this sad loss with them.”
The President noted that Adichie is a global literary icon whose works have brought inspiration, joy, and enlightenment to many across the world.
“I pray that she and her family find strength and comfort in the Almighty during this trying moment. My prayers are with the family,” the President added.
Euracare Hospital Reacts, says boy’s death not caused by negligence
“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. In particular, the suggestion that this tragic outcome resulted from medical negligence is erroneous.
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 over a week 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.
We have commenced a detailed investigation consistent with our clinical governance standards and best practices. We remain committed to engaging transparently and responsibly with all clinical and regulatory processes. We recognise that the family is grieving an irreplaceable loss and we shall continue to support them in any way that may bring comfort during this devastating period.
As medical professionals, we carry the weight of this loss deeply. Our priority remains compassion, patient safety, and the responsible handling of this matter, while respecting the family’s privacy and allowing due process to take its course. We continue to hold the family in our thoughts and prayers.
SIGNED BY
MANAGEMENT, EURACARE MULTISPECIALIST HOSPITAL
