Author Blasts Hospital Over Delay in Inquest into Infant’s Death
Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has publicly accused Euracare Hospital in Lagos of stalling the coronial investigation that should determine the cause of her 21‑month‑old son’s tragic death.
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The inquest, originally scheduled for April, was postponed after Adichie’s legal team lodged a request with the Federal High Court to block the inquiry, claiming Euracare’s delay tactics “muddled” the process.
In a letter posted to the hospital’s director in April, Adichie wrote, “If Euracare cares about the truth, then why create delays and distractions and now, finally, try to stop an inquest?” Her letter also criticised the hospital’s explanation that her son died of bacterial meningitis – a claim that, she contended, lacked medical evidence on the death certificate.
Adichie’s account alleges that doctors at Euracare denied necessary oxygen and administered excessive sedation, contributing to cardiac arrest. She claims the hospital provided incomplete and inaccurate medical records, calling them “strikingly unprofessional.”
A panel set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria earlier found evidence of possible negligence in the treatment of the infant. Despite this, the hospital has pledged its care complied with international standards and expressed “deepest sympathies” following the loss.
The case has amplified pressure on Nigerian health authorities to address systemic failings in patient safety and accountability. For Adichie, the loss of her son and the ensuing legal battles push her into a public fight for transparency and justice.
