Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s household accuses Euracare Hospital of negligence over son’s loss of life

[ad_1] The household of Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital of negligence over the loss of life of her 21-month-old son.

Nkanu Nnamdi died at a hospital in Nigeria on Wednesday following a brief sickness, leaving the household of the acclaimed postcolonial feminist author "devastated".

Now, the household allege there was a litany of failures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos that led to the toddler's loss of life, together with being denied oxygen and being given an excessive amount of sedation, inflicting a coronary heart assault.

The hospital expressed its "deepest sympathies" over the lack of the kid however denied improper care, which it mentioned had been consistent with worldwide requirements.

It added that Nkanu had arrived on the hospital "critically ailing" and that an investigation into the loss of life was now underneath approach.

Adichie's sister-in-law, Dr Anthea Nwandu, made a sequence of allegations in regards to the hospital in an interview with Nigerian broadcaster Come up TV on Saturday.

In it, she mentioned the medical director of Euracare had informed Adichie her son "had obtained an excessive amount of sedation", which subsequently precipitated him to have a coronary heart assault.

Dr Nwandu additionally accused medical workers of leaving the kid unattended, denying him oxygen and transporting him in a fashion that was "not in line with customary apply".

She alleged Nkanu suffered a mind harm resulting from lack of oxygen.

Comparable accusations regarding Nkanu's care had been made in a personal message from Adichie that was leaked on-line.

Her spokeswoman Omawumi Ogbe informed the BBC that the message had initially been shared inside "an in depth circle of household and pals", and "was not for public consumption".

Ms Ogbe continued: "Whereas we're saddened that such a deeply private account of grief and trauma was leaked, the main points therein spotlight the devastating scientific failures the household is now compelled to confront.

"We hope that the substance of that message, detailing the gross medical negligence that led to this tragedy stays the central focus whilst we look ahead to the reality and accountability."

Nkanu was one in all twin boys Adichie shared together with her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.

Responding to the allegations, Euracare Hospital acknowledged the "profound and unimaginable loss" the household was experiencing, however mentioned in an announcement on Saturday that "stories at present being circulated include inaccuracies".

It mentioned Nkanu, who was critically ailing, had been referred to the hospital after receiving therapy from two paediatric centres, and that upon arrival workers "instantly supplied care consistent with established scientific protocols and internationally accepted medical requirements, together with the administration of sedation".

It continued: "In the middle of his care, we labored collaboratively with exterior medical groups as really useful by his household and ensured that every one vital scientific help was supplied."

Nevertheless, "regardless of these concerted efforts", the boy died lower than 24 hours after arriving on the hospital, it added.

A "detailed investigation" was underneath approach, Euracare mentioned, including that it remained "dedicated to partaking transparently and responsibly with all scientific and regulatory processes".

Adichie, 48, had her first baby, a daughter, in 2016. Her twin boys had been born utilizing a surrogate in 2024.

The award-winning US-based author is thought for works together with Half of a Yellow Solar, Americanah and her 2012 Ted Speak and essay We Ought to All Be Feminists, which was sampled by Beyoncé on her 2013 tune Flawless.

Nigeria's president was amongst these to have expressed their condolences over the loss of life of Nkanu.

The African nation's well being system has suffered of late from a extreme scarcity of docs, leaving healthcare workers working lengthy hours and docs juggling jobs in each private and non-private hospitals.

Responding to the allegations regarding Nkanu, an adviser to the Lagos State authorities mentioned it "locations the very best worth on human life and maintains zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional conduct".

Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Particular Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on well being issues, confirmed the state's well being watchdog had commenced a "thorough, unbiased and clear" investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of life.

"Any particular person or establishment discovered culpable of negligence, skilled misconduct, or regulatory violations will face the total wrath of the regulation," Dr Ogunyemi mentioned.