Olisa Metuh advises politicians to live healthy lifestyle

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has advised politicians at all levels to pay adequate attention to their personal health, regardless of their busy schedule.

The PDP chieftain who is battling a spinal cord ailment stated this while receiving members of Anambra Progressive Union (APU), an umbrella organization of Anambra professionals, who visited him at his Abuja residence on Sunday. 

Narrating his ordeal, Metuh noted that if he had made out time to undergo a prescribed minor corrective surgery when his spinal cord ailment was first diagnosed at the National Hospital in 2008, he wouldn’t be in the situation he is today.

“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 cord 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 (South East) 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.

“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 (sic) really deteriorated.

“Several times I had fallen into trauma. On one of those occasions, I had to be brought from hospital to court on a stretcher, almost unconscious. As at then, I could not move my lower limbs.

“Later, I was discharged but still attended hospital clinics in a wheelchair. However, the constant physiotherapy with the infrared radiation I just acquired have ameliorated the pains and I now move around better with my crutches and other mobility aids,” he narrated.

Earlier, leader of the group, Chief Amaechi Onowu, expressed serious concerns over Metuh’s health, saying they were very unhappy with his condition.

“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 stated.

The group offered fervent prayers for his quick recovery while urging the authorities to grant him the opportunity to access the prescribed medical attention to prevent his condition from getting worse.