Zack Orji moved from National Hospital against medical advice – CMD

• Jan 10, 2024
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The National Hospital in Abuja has denied referring veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, to a private hospital for further treatment. According to the hospital, Orji’s family took him away from the hospital against medical advice, even as he was being prepared for surgery.

Orji, who was admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Eve, had suffered a brain injury after falling from a staircase at his home. He was initially taken to the intensive care unit, where he was stabilised and moved to the ear, nose and throat ward. He was later transferred to the orthopaedic ward, where the surgeons began preparing him for surgery.

However, on January 1, 2024, Orji’s family signed a form, ‘Leaving Against Medical Advice’, and took him to a private hospital in Wuse, where he reportedly underwent a successful brain surgery.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Hospital, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, January 4, 2024. He said the hospital did not refer Orji to any private facility, but rather wished him a speedy recovery.

The statement read in part, “The 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 a speedy recovery.”

Orji is one of the most popular and respected actors in the Nigerian film industry, with over three decades of experience. He has starred in several movies and TV shows, such as “Glamour Girls”, “Rituals”, “Half of a Yellow Sun”, and “The Johnsons”. He is also a director, producer, and ordained pastor. He received a visit from the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on New Year’s Day, who expressed her concern and support for him.