Woman declared dead by two hospitals recounts how she came back alive after she was dumped at the mortuary

Woman declared dead by two hospitals recounts how she came back alive after she was dumped at the mortuary

A Bauchi-based school proprietor, Dorcas Okechukwu, has narrated how she survived after being declared dead at two hospitals, saying doctors at a third medical facility discovered she was still alive moments before she was to be moved to a mortuary.

Okechukwu, a Human Physiology graduate of Madonna University, shared her experience in an interview with Vanguard, describing the ordeal as a turning point that deepened her Christian faith and gratitude for life.

She said the incident began on April 15, 2025, shortly after she accompanied her mother, Mrs. Ann Okechukwu, to the United Kingdom Embassy in Abuja.

According to her, she returned to her hotel feeling unwell and developed a severe headache, which she initially suspected was caused by high blood pressure.

“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 recalled.

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

She said doctors at the first hospital reportedly examined her and informed her family that she had died. Refusing to accept the verdict, her mother insisted she be taken to another hospital, where medical personnel allegedly reached the same conclusion.

According to Okechukwu, it was only after her brother contacted a doctor in the United Kingdom that the family decided to take her to Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja.

She said the hospital initially declined to admit her after assessing her condition and advised that she be taken to a mortuary. However, a doctor opted to conduct another examination before the transfer and discovered she still had a pulse.

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

Okechukwu disclosed that she underwent a series of medical examinations, including CT scans, MRI scans and other diagnostic tests. She said the results showed no major abnormalities apart from a swollen brain, which doctors believed resulted from the seizure.

She said she regained consciousness after spending about two weeks in the hospital and was later informed that she had suffered a partial stroke.

The recovery process, according to her, was challenging as she temporarily lost her memory and had to relearn how to walk through rehabilitation and continuous care from neurologists.

Beyond the medical treatment, Okechukwu said her recovery was strengthened by her faith. She recalled having a spiritual encounter after listening to a sermon by Apostle Joshua Selman, an experience she believes marked the beginning of her healing.

She added that months later she battled intense fear, which she described as an “attack by the spirit of death.” Seeking help from her pastor, Pastor Ben John, she said she was encouraged to meditate on biblical teachings about long life and repeatedly declare Psalm 91.

According to her, the fear eventually disappeared, while subsequent medical examinations, including tests on her heart, produced reassuring results.

Reflecting on the experience, Okechukwu described her survival as a miracle and thanked God for what she considers a second chance at life.

“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.”s