Anxiety trails health status of ex VP, Alex Ekwueme

Reactions have continued to trail the health status of second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, following social media reports of his death on Monday night.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved that the former Vice-President be flown abroad for proper medical attention.

However, according to an official of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu on Tuesday, the former VP is alive, stable and responding to treatment.

“Dr. Ekwueme is still in Memfys Hospital”, even though President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered he be flown abroad for better care”, he said.

The Daily Times recalls that Ekwueme reportedly collapsed two weeks ago at his residence at Independence layout in Enugu and was taken to Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu.

But reports of the death of Ekwueme went viral on the social media on Monday night causing anxiety among Enugu residents.

The family has however doused rumour of the death of the octogenarian, describing it as “wicked” stressing that the elder statesman is alive and well and is yet to be flown abroad.

In a statement on Tuesday by the family spokesman, Mr. Uche Ezechukwu, who incidentally is the Chairman, Editorial Board of Authority newspaper, the Ekwueme family said: “The wicked rumour making the rounds about the deterioration of the condition of Dr. Alex Ekwueme is totally untrue.

“The truth is that elder statesman is alive and well. His condition is not only stabilising but improving considerably.

“In fact, the former VP has moved from a stage of unconsciousness to a state whereby he now receives visitors, sits up and eats.

“It is also important to inform that Dr. Ekwueme is yet to be taken abroad, as the necessary documentation and preliminary are on course and arrangements are being completed.

“Any statement I make on the elder statesman are impeccable and have full authentication of the family,” Ezechukwu said in the statement.