How I was declared dead, taken to mortuary before doctors found pulse — Dorcas Okechukwu

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By Christopher Ameh, Bauchi

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Dorcas Okechukwu, a graduate of Human Physiology from Madonna University and proprietor of a private school in Bauchi State, has recounted how she was declared dead by two hospitals before doctors at a third medical facility detected signs of life and began emergency treatment.

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Speaking with Vanguard, Okechukwu described the experience as life-changing, saying it strengthened her Christian faith and appreciation for life.

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According to her, the incident occurred on April 15, 2025, after she accompanied her mother, Mrs. Ann Okechukwu, to the UK Embassy in Abuja.

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She said she returned to her hotel after the visit and developed a severe headache, which she initially suspected was linked to high blood pressure.

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“I decided to take a bath and lie down, hoping the pain would subside. 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 said.

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Okechukwu said she was later informed that she had suffered convulsions and stopped breathing before she was rushed to a hospital.

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According to her account, 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 she said the same conclusion was reportedly reached.

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She said her brother subsequently contacted a doctor in the United Kingdom, who advised that she be taken to Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja.

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According to Okechukwu, the hospital initially declined to admit her after assessing her condition and recommended that she be taken to a mortuary. However, she said a doctor decided to carry out another examination before the transfer and detected a pulse.

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“The doctor immediately ordered that I be taken to the emergency ward,” she recalled.

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She said she subsequently underwent extensive medical investigations, including CT scan, MRI and several other diagnostic tests, which, according to her, did not reveal significant abnormalities apart from a swollen brain believed to have resulted from the seizure.

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Okechukwu said she regained consciousness after about two weeks in hospital and later learned she had suffered a partial stroke.

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She also said she experienced temporary memory loss and had to relearn how to walk while undergoing rehabilitation and follow-up care with neurologists.

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During her recovery, Okechukwu said she had a spiritual experience after listening to a sermon by Apostle Joshua Selman, which she believes marked the beginning of her healing.

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She also recounted experiencing a period of fear months later, which she described as an “attack by the spirit of death.” According to her, she sought spiritual counsel from her pastor, Pastor Ben John, who encouraged her to meditate on biblical teachings about long life and repeatedly declare Psalm 91.

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Okechukwu said the fear subsided, and subsequent medical examinations, including tests on her heart, produced reassuring results.

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Reflecting on her experience, she described surviving the ordeal as a miracle and expressed gratitude to God for what she considers a second chance at life.

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“One may not know what it means to enjoy good health until faced with serious illness,” she said. “The mercies of God endure forever, and His love towards me is beyond words.”

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Vanguard has not independently verified the medical circumstances surrounding Okechukwu’s account. The spiritual experiences she described reflect her personal beliefs and testimony.

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