Alleged Negligence: MDCN Suspends Three Doctors Over Chimamanda’s Son’s Death
- Mar 4
- 1 min read
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has suspended three medical practitioners over findings linked to the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The decision followed a probe by the council’s investigative panel into allegations of professional misconduct during the child’s treatment in January 2026. The panel ordered the suspension of the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr Tunde Majekodunmi, alongside anesthesiologist Dr Titus Ogundare and Dr Atinuke Uwajeh of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital.
According to findings presented by the panel, the suspensions will remain in effect pending the determination of their cases before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, effectively barring them from medical practice nationwide for now.
The child reportedly fell ill and was initially managed at Atlantis Hospital before arrangements were made for further treatment abroad at Johns Hopkins Hospital. As part of pre-transfer procedures, he was referred to Euracare for diagnostic tests, including an MRI scan and other invasive interventions.
Adichie had publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding her son’s death, alleging that inadequate monitoring after sedation contributed to complications that later proved fatal. She maintained that critical lapses occurred during care at Euracare.
Beyond the three suspensions, the panel said it established a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 additional doctors, whose matters will proceed to the disciplinary tribunal. Eight others were cleared after reviewing affidavits, counter-affidavits, and sworn testimonies.
The investigation concluded during the panel’s 25th sitting in Abuja in mid-February 2026. Meanwhile, a coroner’s inquest into the child’s death is scheduled to commence in April at a Lagos magistrate court, where further legal scrutiny of the events will unfold.
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