The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has ordered the immediate suspension of three medical practitioners following the tragic death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege. The boy was the son of the world-renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Dr Ivara Esege.
The Investigative Panel of the Council confirmed that a prima facie case of medical negligence had been established against the practitioners regarding the care provided to the toddler, who passed away on 7 January 2026.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr Enejo Abdu, the following doctors have been barred from medical practice in Nigeria pending the final determination of their case before the Disciplinary Tribunal:
Dr Tunde Majekodunmi: Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr Titus Ogundare: Consultant Anesthesiologist at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, and Dr Atinuke Uwajeh: Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital.
Nkanu was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital for a mild illness that subsequently worsened. His parents had begun arrangements to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for specialist intervention. During this interim period, Atlantis Hospital referred the child to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital for essential pre-flight diagnostic procedures.
The scheduled procedures at Euracare included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, and a lumbar puncture. To facilitate these, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was inserted, and the child was administered intravenous sedation with propofol. Reports indicate that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory following the MRI, leading to his untimely death.
Following the incident, the bereaved parents, represented by a legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), issued a formal legal notice alleging a significant breach of the duty of care. The petition accused the attending staff and the management of Euracare of medical negligence and professional misconduct.
The MDCN’s intervention serves as a preliminary disciplinary measure while the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which possesses the powers of a High Court, commences a full trial into the circumstances of the fatality.
The suspension remains in force until the tribunal delivers its final verdict, as the regulatory body seeks to maintain the highest standards of accountability within the Nigerian healthcare sector.
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