Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie has sued Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital to Court over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, solicitors acting for Chimamanda and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical personnel breached the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

The notice was issued on behalf of the parents by PINHEIRO LP and signed by the founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

The legal notice outlines multiple alleged lapses in paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care.

These include concerns about the appropriateness and cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, and an alleged failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring.

The parents further alleged that their son was transferred without supplemental oxygen, without adequate monitoring, and without sufficient accompanying medical personnel.

They also raised concerns over the availability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, and an overall failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia, patient-transfer, and safety protocols.

According to the notice, the child was referred to the hospital on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for a series of diagnostic and preparatory procedures.

These included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and a lumbar puncture.

The procedures were reportedly part of preparations for an imminent medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist medical team was said to be on standby to receive him.

The solicitors stated that intravenous sedation was administered using propofol.

The management of Lagos-based Euracare Multispecialist Hospital said on Saturday, ” We find it necessary, for the record, to clarify that some of the reports currently being circulated regarding the demise of Chimamanda Adichie ‘s son, contain inaccuracies.”

Chimamanda, the bereaved mother, had in a public statement, accused the hospital’s anesthesiologist to have neglected monitoring the sick child after he was given “too much propofol.”

Said Chimamanda: ” It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive. How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed.

“The Hospital’s management, while expressing their deepest sympathies to Chimamanda and family for the loss, acknowledge that the loss of a child is beyond words, adding , ” we offer our most heartfelt condolences to his parents and the entire family.”

In the statement, the management, stated that they have commenced a detailed investigation “consistent with our clinical governance standards and best practices.”

The statement reads: ” 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 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.”

As the Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Emeje has played a pivotal role in promoting research, development, regulation, and commercialization of natural medicines in Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named Professor Martins Emeje, Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA, as Co-Chair of its newly established Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM).

Professor Emeje was appointed alongside Dr Susan Wieland, Director at Cochrane Complementary Medicine, following the formal unveiling of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group.

The establishment of STAG-TM marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy, aimed at strengthening global health systems through evidence-based traditional and integrative medicine.

The appointment of Professor Emeje reflects the WHO’s commitment to inclusive, balanced, and scientifically rigorous leadership in advancing traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine worldwide.

Both Co-Chairs bring extensive expertise in research, innovation, and policy development, particularly in natural products and evidence-based medicine.

As the Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Emeje has played a pivotal role in promoting research, development, regulation, and commercialization of natural medicines in Nigeria.

His selection highlights Nigeria’s growing contribution to global health governance and innovation in traditional medicine.

The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine will provide expert guidance to the WHO on policy frameworks, research priorities, and best practices to ensure the safe, effective, and quality integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems.

The W.H.O while announcing the creation of the 19 member Group emphasized that the move is part of its global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025 describing it as a decisive step in applying a scientific response to traditional medicine.

At the inaugural meeting of the Group, held alongside the second W. H.O Global Traditional Medicine Summit held in New Delhi, India, the W.H.O’s Assistant Director General for Health System,Access and Data, Dr Yukiko Nakatani says it is a pivotal moment for Traditional Medicine as it embodies cultural heritage, national health identities and a vital component of policy healthcare strategies.

The situation whereby the rapid growth of traditional medicine has not been matched by strong evidence, standards, regulatory frameworks or sustainable governance, W.H.O’s Chief Scientist , Dr Sylvie Briand emphasized, underscores the urgency of the initiative.