Nigerian author accuses hospital of stalling review into her son's death
Prominent Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital in Lagos of obstructing an inquest into her baby son's death in January.
Celebrated Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare hospital in Lagos of delaying a coronial inquest into the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, who died in January.
The inquest was due to begin in April, but Adichie claims the hospital has stalled and obfuscated the process. She has asked Nigeria's Federal High Court to block the inquiry.
The BBC has approached Euracare for comment. An investigation panel set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had previously found a possible case of medical negligence against the hospital.
In a public letter, Adichie stated that the hospital's actions have deprived her of peace to mourn. She also alleged that the death certificate listed bacterial meningitis as the cause, but there was no medical evidence to support that claim.
Adichie's family accuses Euracare of negligence, claiming medics denied Nkanu oxygen and administered excessive sedation, leading to cardiac arrest. The hospital has expressed condolences but denies wrongdoing, stating its care met international standards.
According to court submissions, Nkanu was initially admitted to another Lagos hospital before being transferred to Euracare for pre-flight tests, including an MRI and spinal tap. He died on January 7 after these procedures.
Adichie, author of award-winning novels such as "Half of a Yellow Sun" and "Americanah", resides in the US but was in Nigeria for the Christmas holidays at the time.
