On Sunday, December 31, a video of veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji in critical condition in the hospital went viral.

According to reports, the revered actor was rushed to the hospital two days before December 31 after he slumped in the toilet after being quite weak for a few weeks.

Later update indicated that he was rushed to Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in Abuja where his condition was stabilised to prepare him for a brain surgery on New Year ’s Day.

However, his family against medical advice moved him from National Hospital in Abuja to a private hospital for treatment.

Minister’s appeal

This was later confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who called on Nigerians to rally behind the ailing Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, saying he had brain surgery on January 1, 2024.

Musawa appealed during her visit to the actor at a private hospital in Wuse, Abuja where he had the surgery.

This information was contained in a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nneka  Anibeze, which was shared on Facebook.

Expressing sympathy for the veteran actor’s family, Musawa described him as a national asset and expressed confidence in his recovery.

“He is one of the individuals who laid the foundation for Nollywood and the film industry in Nigeria but now he is sick and the least we can do as an administration is to give him all the necessary support through prayers and otherwise to ensure that we save his life.

“This will also propel the administration to look at the welfare of artists and others in the industry who have not only given their time and energy but people like Zack Orji who have become national treasures,” she stated.

However, with the Minister’s disclosure of Zack Orji undergoing surgery in a private hospital, netizens descended on the management of National Hospital in Abuja for not living up to their professional duties by performing the surgery.

National Hospital’s reaction

In a statement yesterday, Chief Medical Director of National Hospital in Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud denied reports suggesting that Zack Orji, was referred to a private facility for additional treatment.

He explained that Zack Orji’s family took him away from the hospital against the medical advice of management.

The statement also mentioned that the family of the actor signed to take him away when 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.”

Current condition

Even though Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy confirmed the actor is responding to treatment after visiting him on New Year’s day, his current health condition as of today is unknown.

Colleagues pray

His colleagues have, however, joined thousands of his fans in Nigeria and around the world to pray for him for his quick recovery.