The family of late Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, has said that he died of chronic kidney disease.
The death of the foremost surgeon at a time the nation is battling the coronavirus had sparked insinuations that the commissioner may have succumbed to the global pandemic.
But in a statement on Saturday by its representative, Dr. Kingsley Ugochukwu, the family confirmed The Herald‘s earlier report that the surgeon died on Friday, April 3, 2020, at the Memphy’s Hospital, Enugu.
Ugochukwu was said to have gone to the United States for treatment.
The commissioner died shortly after his return to Nigeria, following a sudden relapse, the member representing his constituency, Oji River Constituency in the Enugu House of Assembly Hon. Jeff Mbah had said.
“We are talking about a renowned Professor of Surgeon who has a lot to offer in turning around our health sector. It’s a terrible blow,” Mbah said.
The late Ugochukwu was until his death a Consultant Surgeon and immediate past Provost, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) College of Medicine.
He was sworn in as a commissioner by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on September 25, 2019.