Ojukwu to be flown abroad for treatment

Posted by admin Headlines, Raw Politics Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Former Biafran leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, may be flown abroad for medical treatment any time from now, following his failing health.

Anxiety has heightened in Enugu and its environs over the deteriorating health of the Nnewi high chief.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the ex-warlord was currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu and had been placed on life-support, apparently to stabilise his failing health for the past one week.

A source said Chief Ojukwu, who was rushed to the hospital last week, would be flown to either South Africa or Egypt for medical attention.

A serious security presence was observed in the ICU area, on Tuesday, while his son, Emeka and a former chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state, Mr Azuka Okwuosa, were among some relatives and well-wishers seen at the ICU reception unit.

Speaking with newsmen, the Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Dr Anthony Mbah, said a team of consultants, led by a consultant cardiologist, Professor Vincent Ike, was attending to the former Biafran leader, adding that he was gradually regaining consciousness.

“He was brought to the accident and emergency department of this hospital in an unconscious state last Sunday. The blood pressure was quite low and he was not making enough urine. Upon his arrival, all consultants started work on him immediately; diagnostic procedures were immediately administered to him.

“Right now, I can say the blood pressure has stabilised and he is making enough urine, though his level of consciousness has not improved greatly, but efforts are in top gear to fly him abroad.

“The opinion of the medical team working on him is that he has stroke attack and, as I’m speaking, he is on a ventilator.” Mbah stated.wp_posts