President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved the immediate medical treatment of former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, outside the country.
According to a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the approval followed a brief the president received on the medical condition of the former vice president.
Shehu noted that the approval covers the immediate charter of an Air Ambulance for the emergency movement and the cost of treatment.
“President Buhari prays that God will grant the elder statesman speedy recovery”, the presidential spokesman added.
The former vice president who turned 85 in October this year was said to have slumped in his Enugu residence on Sunday.
According to media report, he was admitted at the Neurosurgery section of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Memphys Hospital in Enugu before being flown out of the country ostensibly by an air ambulance.
But Ekwueme’s family on Monday calmed frayed nerves over his health condition, saying he was now much better.
Speaking for the family, Laz Ekwueme, the traditional ruler of Oko community in Anambra State, said the elder statesman is now in a stable condition but would remain under close medical attention till his situation improved.
“Dr Alex I. Ekwueme, GCON, the former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, was on Sunday 29th October 2017, admitted into hospital for a chest infection” he said.
“It will be recalled that the former Vice President had a quiet celebration of his 85th birthday on the 21st of October 2017 in the company of his family members and he remained in high spirits up till his recent health challenges. His doctors confirm that he is stable, but he will remain under close medical attention in the meantime.
“The family would like to express its profound gratitude to all Nigerians who have shown concern over this development and requests their sustained support and prayers as he continues to make a full recovery”, the traditional ruler said in a statement.”
LEADERSHIP.