By Sandra Ugwu 

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has placed three medical doctors on suspension following the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Those suspended include the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.

According to a statement signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, the Council said a preliminary review established a prima facie case of medical negligence. The affected doctors have been barred from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the determination of the case before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

AnchorNews gathered that the child was initially admitted at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for what was described as a mild but deteriorating health condition. Arrangements were reportedly being made to fly him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for advanced care.

Before the planned medical transfer, he was referred to Euracare for pre-flight investigations, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and intravenous sedation with propofol.

Complications were said to have developed during his transfer to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI procedure. He subsequently died on January 7, 2026.

Following the incident, the child’s parents, through their legal representatives led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), accused the hospitals and attending doctors of breaching their duty of care and engaging in professional misconduct.

The Council stated that the matter will now proceed to full disciplinary hearing, where evidence will be examined and a final decision reached.

AnchorNews will provide updates as the case unfolds.