Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, the Lagos medical facility where the 21-month-old son of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie recently died, has broken its silence on the unfortunate incident and the controversy that has trailed it.

In a statement issued by its management yesterday, Saturday, January 10, 2026, the hospital conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the parents and extended family, noting that the death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy that goes beyond words.

While empathising with the family’s grief, the hospital also addressed what it described as inaccuracies in some reports circulating about the circumstances surrounding the child’s care. Euracare emphasised that it is a reputable medical facility specialising in complex care and staffed by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team.

The statement read, “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.

“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 a period of time 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.”

Adichie had earlier alleged grave medical negligence in the death of her young son following a medical procedure carried out at Euracare Hospital on January 6.

In a detailed personal account that circulated publicly and confirmed by her media team, Adichie said her son would be alive today but for what she described as fatal lapses in care during what should have been routine medical procedures.

The family had travelled to Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed symptoms initially believed to be a cold, which later progressed into a severe infection. He was admitted to Atlantis Hospital, where arrangements were made for an emergency medical evacuation to the United States on January 7.

According to Adichie, a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital was on standby to receive her son in Baltimore and had requested an MRI scan and lumbar puncture. Nigerian doctors also planned to insert a central line in preparation for the flight.

Atlantis Hospital subsequently referred the family to Euracare Hospital to carry out the procedures.

Adichie said her son was sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line insertion. While she waited outside the operating theatre, she noticed medical personnel, including a senior doctor, rushing in — a moment she said immediately signalled that something had gone wrong.

She was later informed that her son had been given an excessive dose of propofol by the anesthesiologist, became unresponsive, and was resuscitated. He was then intubated, placed on a ventilator, and admitted to the intensive care unit.

Adichie said seizures and cardiac arrest followed — conditions her son had never previously experienced — and he died several hours later.

She further alleged that her son was never properly monitored after being sedated, adding that the anesthesiologist carried him without continuous observation, making it unclear when he became unresponsive. She also claimed that after the central line procedure, the anesthesiologist switched off her son’s oxygen before transporting him to the ICU.

“How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him?” Adichie asked in the account, describing the actions as criminally negligent and a clear breach of medical protocol.

“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day,” she said. “We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever.”

She further claimed that Euracare Hospital had prior knowledge of at least two previous cases involving alleged anesthetic overdoses by the same practitioner and questioned why he was allowed to continue practising.

“This must never happen to another child,” she said.

ARISE NEWS contacted Adichie’s media team, which confirmed that she authored the message. According to the team, the account was Initially shared privately with family members and a small circle of friends before becoming public.

The media team said Adichie stands by the account and its contents. (Adapted from a report by AriseNews TV)

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