The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended three doctors in the case surrounding the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Ndamdi Esege, the son of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigations Panel, an official body under the MDCN responsible for investigating allegations against doctors, held its 25th session at Excel Hotel and Resort in Abuja on February 17 and 18.

The panel ruled that there is enough evidence to proceed with allegations of medical negligence against three senior doctors involved in the child’s treatment.

Those affected are the medical director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anaesthesiologist, Titus Ogundare; and the chief medical officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Atinuke Uwajeh.

The panel ordered their suspension from medical practice in Nigeria, pending the outcome of the case.

In a statement signed by its secretary, Enejo Abdu, the panel also disclosed that 10 other doctors will face further investigation over alleged professional misconduct.

They are Adeseye Akinsete, Chidinma Ohagwu, Anthony Ajeh, Amarachi Bayo, Nkechi Peji, Olaoye Oludare, Agaja Oyinkansola, Patricia Akintan, Babatunde Bamgboye, and Raji Faidat.

Eight of the 21 doctors initially investigated were cleared after the panel reviewed the complaints, their responses, and the testimonies they gave.

The case stems from the death of Ms Adichie’s toddler in Lagos after he was referred from Atlantis Hospital to Euracare for a checkup ahead of a planned medical trip to the United States in January.

Ms Adichie had publicly alleged that complications arose after her son was sedated for an MRI and central line insertion.

She claimed he was administered an excessive dose of propofol, was not properly monitored, and later suffered cardiac arrest.

The case is also before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, which adjourned proceedings until April 14 to commence a coroner’s inquest.

At the last sitting, the court asked all parties to submit witness statements and said that an autopsy report would be important to determining the cause of death.