By Tosin Oyediran
Atlantis Pediatric Hospital has responded to the interim suspension of its Chief Medical Director, Atinuke Uwajeh, by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel.
It stated that it remains confident that its medical professionals acted within the bounds of their professional responsibilities.
This is in reaction to an outcome of a panel set up by the MDCN, which suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr Tunde Majekodunmi, its anesthesiologist, Dr Titus Ogundare, and Atlantis CMD Uwajeh, and following findings of medical negligence in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The panel is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Nkanu Esege, the 21-month-old son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital. A coroner’s inquest into the incident is currently underway.
In a statement issued on Monday, the hospital said it received a letter dated February 25, 2026, but delivered on March 5, informing it that the panel had placed its Chief Medical Director on interim suspension.
The management acknowledged receiving the communication but indicated it had concerns about the development and would seek appropriate professional and regulatory guidance.
“As a healthcare institution dedicated to pediatric care, Atlantis Pediatric Hospital remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of medical practice, patient safety and professional responsibility.
“We are confident that all our medical professionals exercised reasonable duty of care and judgment in the discharge of their duties and this will be established in due course,” the statement said.
The hospital explained that the matter is already before the Lagos State Coroner’s Court, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
According to the hospital, the ongoing court proceedings influenced its decision to limit public commentary on the matter.
“Due to the pendency of this matter before the court and out of respect for judicial integrity and process, our hospital will exercise restraint in making any public commentary on matters that are currently before a court of law,” the statement added.
Atlantis Pediatric Hospital said it would fully cooperate with the coroner’s inquest and any other lawful process aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
Management also expressed condolences to the Adichie-Esege family, describing the loss of their child as deeply painful.
The hospital further assured patients, families and stakeholders that it would continue engaging constructively with relevant authorities in the interest of transparency and the proper determination of the facts, while maintaining high standards of pediatric healthcare practice.
PUNCH Online reports that the hospital is currently under investigation following a petition obtained from the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency website concerning its role in referring the deceased toddler to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.
The referral has drawn scrutiny amid allegations that the receiving facility was negligent during medical procedures that resulted in the child’s death.
Atlantis Pediatric Hospital is being examined in its capacity as the referring facility, and the matter is presently under administrative investigation.
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