Nigeria Suspends Doctors Over Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended three doctors over alleged medical negligence in the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

At its 25th session in Abuja on February 17-18, the Council’s panel found Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, Dr. Titus Ogundare, and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh responsible for professional misconduct and imposed interim suspensions pending full disciplinary hearings.

Ten other practitioners from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital were also found guilty of misconduct and referred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal for formal proceedings.

The case stems from the toddler’s death on January 7, following pre-flight MRI and spinal tap tests at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. Nkanu had initially been admitted to Atlantis Hospital with a mild but deteriorating illness before being scheduled for transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Chimamanda Adichie and her family allege that the child was over-sedated and denied oxygen, which led to cardiac arrest. Court documents indicate that doctors from both Euracare and Atlantis provided affidavits and oral testimony during the investigation.

The MDCN emphasized that its findings are preliminary, with the implicated doctors facing full hearings before the Tribunal where final decisions will be made.

Through their lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, the family had previously requested full disclosure of the child’s treatment from Euracare.