Chimamanda Adichie's husband demands probe into son's hospital death

The family of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Adichie, is determined to uncover the cause of his death at Lagos's Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital on January 7.

Nkanu's father, Ivara Esege, expressed his resolve in an opinion piece published in The Guardian and shared on his wife's Instagram. He accused Euracare Hospital of attempting to block a public judicial inquiry, suggesting the institution has something to conceal. "We are waiting and hoping that Euracare will not be able to use its wealth and power to stop an inquest," Esege stated. "If this is allowed to happen, it will be a mockery and abuse of the entire judicial system."

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We are waiting and hoping that Euracare will not be able to use its wealth and power to stop an inquest. If this is allowed to happen, it will be a mockery and abuse of the entire judicial system.

Esege emphasized that their pursuit of justice extends beyond their personal tragedy. "This is not just about us but about making sure that things are done properly for everyone. Healthcare delivery in Nigeria will not improve otherwise," he asserted. He fears that without accountability, other Nigerian families may suffer similar fates in silence due to a lack of resources to challenge powerful institutions.

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This is not just about us but about making sure that things are done properly for everyone. Healthcare delivery in Nigeria will not improve otherwise.

According to Esege, his son was admitted to Euracare conscious and with stable vital signs for diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan, PICC line insertion, and a lumbar puncture. He was scheduled to be transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the U.S. the following day. Tragically, Nkanu died less than 24 hours after arriving at Euracare. The family, already dealing with recent grief from burying Esege's younger brother, found the loss of their son devastating.

The family initially trusted Euracare, partly due to past positive experiences of Chimamanda Adichie's parents with the hospital years prior. However, Esege noted that ownership and management had changed, with Ilwosan Investments Limited now owning the facility. The family decided to cremate their son in Lagos before taking him with them, a decision communicated to the Euracare Chief Medical Director, who recommended Ebony Funeral Home.

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I never want to see another parent lose their child in such a careless way, from something completely preventable if proper procedure is followed.