A Bauchi-based school proprietor and graduate of Human Physiology, Dorcas Okechukwu, has narrated how she was mistakenly declared dead by two hospitals before doctors at another medical facility discovered signs of life and rushed her into emergency care.
Okechukwu, who shared her experience in an interview, described the incident as a turning point in her life, saying it deepened her Christian faith and renewed her appreciation for life.
According to her, the ordeal began on April 15, 2025, shortly after accompanying her mother, Ann Okechukwu, to the United Kingdom Embassy in Abuja.
She explained that after returning to her hotel, she developed a severe headache, which she initially suspected was related to high blood pressure.
“I decided to take a bath and rest, hoping the headache would ease. I also asked my sister to locate a nearby pharmacy where I could check my blood pressure. The next thing I remember was waking up in a hospital about two weeks later,” she recalled.
Okechukwu said she was later informed that she suffered convulsions and stopped breathing before she was rushed to a hospital.
According to her, doctors at the first hospital examined her and informed her family that she had died. Unsatisfied with the diagnosis, her mother insisted she be taken to another hospital, where the same conclusion was reportedly reached.
She said her brother then contacted a doctor based in the United Kingdom, who advised the family to take her to Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja.
Okechukwu disclosed that the hospital initially declined to admit her after assessing her condition and recommended that she be moved to a mortuary. However, a doctor reportedly decided to conduct one final examination and detected a faint pulse.
“The doctor immediately ordered that I be taken to the emergency ward,” she said.
She explained that doctors subsequently carried out several medical investigations, including CT scans, MRI scans and other diagnostic tests, which reportedly showed no major abnormalities apart from swelling of the brain believed to have resulted from the seizures.
Okechukwu regained consciousness about two weeks later and was informed that she had suffered a partial stroke.
She said the illness also caused temporary memory loss, forcing her to undergo rehabilitation and relearn how to walk while receiving specialist neurological care.
Reflecting on her recovery, Okechukwu said listening to a sermon by Apostle Joshua Selman gave her renewed hope, while spiritual guidance from her pastor, Ben John, helped her overcome lingering fears about her health.
She added that subsequent medical examinations, including heart-related tests, produced encouraging results.
Describing her survival as nothing short of a miracle, Okechukwu expressed gratitude for what she called a second chance at life.
“You may never fully appreciate good health until you face a life-threatening illness. God’s mercy has been immeasurable, and I remain grateful for the gift of life,” she said.
The medical circumstances surrounding Okechukwu’s account have not been independently verified. Her description of her spiritual experiences reflects her personal testimony.