The National Hospital, Abuja, has denied reports that it referred veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, to a private facility for additional treatment.
According to the hospital, the family of Orji took him away from the hospital against advice from its management.
In a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof Muhammad Mahmud, noted that the Orji family signed an undertaking to take the artiste away, even as he was being prepared for surgery after he stabilised.
The CMD explained that Orji was brought in on New Year’s Eve and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of National Hospital, Abuja, where he was stabilised and moved to the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) ward, adding that he was later transferred to the orthopaedic ward, where the surgeons began preparing him for surgery.
He stated, however, that the relatives of the patient signed a form, ‘Leaving Against Medical Advice’,on January 1, 2024, which thwarted all preparations for his surgery.
The statement signed by the spokesman of the hospital, Tayo Hastrup, on behalf of the CMD reads: “Attention of the National Hospital, Abuja, has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the apex hospital referred the Nigerian actor, Zack Orji, to a private hospital in Abuja.
“To set the record straight, the actor, who was brought in on New Year’s Eve and admitted to the ICU, was stabilised by National Hospital, Abuja, and moved to the ENT ward.
“Later in the day, he was transferred to the orthopaedic ward, where our surgeons began preparing him for surgery. However, the relatives of the patient signed a form, ‘Leaving Against Medical Advice’, on January 1, 2024.
“This thwarted all preparations for his surgery. Nevertheless, the Management of National Hospital, Abuja, wishes him speedy recovery.”Orji was reported to have been taken to a private hospital in Wuse, where he successfully underwent a brain surgery.