The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, alongside two other doctors, after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The decision, announced in a statement on Tuesday and signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, also affects Euracare’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.
The trio has been barred from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Nkanu, the son of award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, following medical interventions at Atlantis Hospital and subsequent procedures at Euracare in Lagos.
According to case documents, the toddler was initially admitted at Atlantis Hospital for what was described as a mild but worsening illness. With his condition requiring specialist evaluation, arrangements were reportedly underway to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.
As part of preparations for the planned overseas treatment, Atlantis referred the child to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures. These included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and intravenous sedation using propofol.
However, the child allegedly developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterization laboratory after undergoing the MRI. He later passed away.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, Nkanu’s parents, through a law firm led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching their duty of care.
The notice alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct, claiming that lapses in clinical judgment and monitoring contributed to the tragic outcome.
Under Nigerian medical regulations, the MDCN is empowered to investigate allegations of professional misconduct and determine whether a prima facie case exists. Where such a finding is made, the affected practitioners are referred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which has the authority to impose sanctions ranging from suspension to striking off from the medical register.
The council’s latest action signals the commencement of formal disciplinary proceedings. While the suspension is temporary pending the tribunal’s final determination, the case has sparked renewed debate over clinical governance, patient safety standards, and oversight in Nigeria’s private healthcare sector.
Further hearings before the tribunal are expected in the coming weeks.
