The National Hospital in Abuja has denied reports suggesting that veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, was referred to a private facility for additional treatment.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, said the family of the thespian took him away from the hospital against the medical advice of the management.
Zack Orji, who was rushed to the intensive care unit of the hospital due to failing health, witnessed an improvement in his condition and was later visited on New Year’s Day by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Orji was reported to have been taken to a private hospital to undergo brain surgery.
According to a statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the hospital, Tayo Hastrup, the family of the actor signed an undertaken to take him away even as he was being prepared for surgery after he stabilised.
The statement read, “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 intensive care unit, was stabilisrd by the National Hospital Abuja and moved to the ENT ward.
“Later in the day, he was transferred to the orthopedic 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.”
