- Olisa Metuh has narrated how his spinal cord ailment started
- The former PDP spokesperson also advised politicians to pay attention to their health
- According to Metuh, skipping a prescribed minor corrective surgery in 2008 had a collateral damage to his health
A former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has cautioned politicians to pay attention to their health.
Metuh said all individual must be interested in their health no matter how busy their schedules might be.
The PDP chieftain, who has been battling with a severe spinal cord ailment for which he was severally admitted at the National Hospital in Abuja, gave the advice while receiving members of Anambra Progressive Union (APU), an umbrella organization of Anambra professionals, in his home in Abuja on Sunday, July 22.
Narrating his ordeal, Metuh regretted skipping a prescribed minor corrective surgery when his spinal cord ailment was first diagnosed at the National Hospital in 2008.
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He said the situation with his health would have been different if he had taken time out to undergo the surgery.
Metuh said: “No matter how busy you may be in politics or business, you must find time to take adequate care of your health. This is very important. In 2008, I was diagnosed with a minor spinal chord issue for which doctors at the National Hospital recommended that I undergo a laminectomy which is more of a minor corrective surgery."
“At that time, I had just been sworn in as national vice Chairman (southeast) of the PDP. I underrated the situation. In fact, I felt that it had to do with the stress of the campaign, so I did not go for the surgery. I was very much engulfed with political activities," the former PDP spokesperson said.
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“Later, I started having much pain in my spine and some doctors I met in Dubai recommended a palliative hot water therapy in the absence of a surgery, which I did. I never went back for the operation but continued with the therapy while busy with political activities.
“In 2016 when I was arrested and detained, the situation aggravated but worsened after I had a very bad fall in the office, for which I was rushed to the National Hospital where I lost sensation on my lower limbs. They conducted an MRI scan and found out that my condition has really deteriorated.
“Several times I had fallen into trauma. On one those occasions, I had to be brought from hospital to court on a stretcher, almost unconscious. As at then, I couldn't move my lower limbs. Later, I was dischared but still attended hospital clinics in a wheelchair," Metuh said.
He added that constant physiotherapy with the infrared radiation have ameliorated the pains.
Metuh while appreciating God's mercies said he can move around with clutches and other mobility aids.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the group, Amaechi Onowu, expressed serious concerns over Metuh’s deteriorating health.
Onowu said the group as a whole was not happy at his situation.
“We are very unhappy over what we have seen here today. Our brother is seriously ill and we are very sad and disturbed over his condition," Onowu said.
The group offered fervent prayers for him while urging the authorities to grant him the opportunity to access the required medical attention before it becomes too late.
Meanwnhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Metuh, who is facing corruption charges, on Wednesday, March 14, arrived for continuation of his trial before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, in a wheelchair.
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The former PDP spokesperson was wheeled into the courtroom to continue his defence to the seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred against him and his firm, Destra Investment Limited.
At the hearing, Metuh through his lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, applied to be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Etiaba had told the court that his client’s health had badly deteriorated in the past two months, a situation he said would require urgent medical attention from his doctors in London.
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Source: Naija.ng