|By Chinwendu Nwani
Renowned writer Chimamanda has alleged that her young son, Nkanu, would still be alive today but for what she described as a tragic and preventable incident at Euracare Hospital, Lagos, on January 6.
According to her account, the family had travelled to Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed what initially appeared to be a mild cold. His condition, however, worsened into a serious infection, leading to his admission at Atlantis Hospital.
Plans were already in place for Nkanu to be flown to the United States the following day, January 7, accompanied by travelling doctors. A medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was reportedly on standby to receive him. Ahead of the trip, doctors requested a lumbar puncture test, an MRI scan, and the insertion of a central line to administer intravenous medications. Atlantis Hospital subsequently referred the family to Euracare Hospital, described to them as the most suitable facility to carry out the procedures.
On the morning of January 6, Nkanu was taken to Euracare in his father’s arms. Doctors informed the parents that sedation would be required to keep the child still during the MRI and central line procedure.
Chimamanda said she was waiting outside the theatre when she noticed unusual activity, including medical personnel rushing inside. Moments later, a doctor informed her that Nkanu had been administered an excessive dose of propofol by the anesthesiologist, became unresponsive, and had to be resuscitated.
Soon after, the child was placed on a ventilator, intubated, and moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Chimamanda said she was later told Nkanu had suffered seizures and cardiac arrest—complications he had never experienced before. Hours later, he died.
She further alleged that Nkanu was never properly monitored after being sedated and that the anesthesiologist had carried him casually to the theatre, making it impossible to determine when he became unresponsive. She also claimed that after the central line procedure, the anesthesiologist switched off the child’s oxygen and carried him to the ICU without following standard medical protocols.
Describing the actions as “criminally negligent,” Chimamanda said the anesthesiologist showed reckless disregard for the life of a critically ill child. She stressed that her son was unwell but stable and was expected to travel abroad for advanced care the next day.
“What was meant to be routine procedures turned into the worst nightmare of our lives,” she said, adding that the loss of her son is a pain she may never recover from.
The family has since learned of at least two previous cases in which the same anesthesiologist allegedly overdosed children. They are now questioning why Euracare Hospital allowed him to continue practising and are calling for accountability to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
