Indications have emerged that former Biafran warlord Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu may be flown abroad for treatment before the end of the week due to his deteriorating health. The management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH), Enugu, revealed the former Biafran warlord had been placed on life-support machine apparently to stabilise him before he would be flown to either South Africa or Egypt for intensive medical attention.
When Daily Sun visited the hospital yesterday, there was serious security presence within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) section. The son, Emeka Ojukwu (Jnr), and a former chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mr. Azuka Okwuosa were among the few relatives and well wishers that were allowed into the ICU reception.
During a chat with journalists, the Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Dr Anthony Mbah said a team of consultants led by Prof Vincent Ike, a Consultant Cardiologist had been working on the former warlord, while disclosing that Ojukwu was gradually regaining consciousness.
According to the physician, “ Ojukwu 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 on him. Right now, I can say that the blood pressure has stabilised and he is making enough urine. Although his level of consciousness has not improved greatly, efforts are in top gear to fly him abroad.
As a hospital, we have already provided transport oxygen and we are updating his medical certificate every moment in order to get ready for his rapid evacuation. “The opinion of the medical team working on him is that he had stroke attack and as I’m speaking, he is on a ventilator which is an artificial breathing machine just to help his breath because he was breathing excessively when he was brought here. For now, we have evidence that the oxygen saturation is okay. I also have it on good authority that the family is thinking of getting a flying ambulance to take him away,” Mba stated.
Ojukwu’s ill-health made President Goodluck Jonathan who was in Enugu last Friday to commission the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to pay him a visit at his GRA residence and wish him quick recovery.
Meanwhile, his wife, Bianca had declared that her husband’s illness was sensationalised by the media. According to her, the Eze Igbo Gburugburu was not expected to respond to treatment like a 30-year-old would. She argued that a 30-year old would respond to treatment of headache faster than an over 70-year-old man would.
She said although her husband was ill, there was no cause for panic. Ojukwu turned 77 on November 4. The Ikemba was rushed to the UNTH on the day the hospital’s members of staff were returning to work after embarking on a strike to press home their demand for better condition of service.
When newsmen visited Ojukwu’s residence yesterday, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Chief Emeka Sebodu, who was believed to have paid a sympathy visit was seen leaving the place.
Before now, Ojukwu had traveled abroad for medical treatment and only returned to the country about a month ago.
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