Monrovia – Public Works Minister Mabutu Nyenpan is responding to treatment and showing signs of improvement after suffering a massive stroke Thursday, government and medical doctors confirmed to FrontPageAfrica Saturday.
Multiple reports suggested Saturday that plans were underway to fly the minster to either Ghana or Dubai despite multiple reports on social media reporting the minister’s death.
The government’s chief spokesman, Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe confirmed to FrontPageAfrica Saturday plans to have the minister taken out of the country but insisted that the doctors have to stabilize him before that could happen. “We are concluding arrangements to fly him to Abu Dhabi for advanced treatment. Doctors are trying to stabilize him first.”
Another official, speaking earlier on condition of anonymity also mentioned Dubai, Ivory Coast and Ghana as options being considered. However, the plan is reportedly being carefully arrangement to ensure that the family is fully aware and inclusive in the arrangements.
Doctors at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center performed multiple procedures and surgery to reduce blood in the minister’s brain. After managing to drain the blood to a safe level and stabilize him, FrontPageAfrica has learned that President George Manneh Weah, who was given an update of the minister’s condition, ordered his Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah to make US$150,000 available to fly the minister for further treatment.
Ironically, a similar amount was made available a few weeks ago to transport Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor to Ghana for treatment after reportedly coming down with the deadly COVID-19 virus.
Initially, FrontPageAfrica gathered from medical and family sources that the minister went into a coma. Nearly 24 hours later, he showed some signs of movement but could not recognize anyone, although he was able to make slight gestures, which doctors say, is a sign of progress.
By Saturday, doctors reported some body movement although fluctuating. His right hands and leg which were not moving is showing slow improvements.
The slow recovery of the minister is surpassing expectations. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 50% of cases. Of those who survive, about 665 suffer some permanent neurological deficit. Approximately 15% of people with a ruptured aneurysm die before reaching the hospital.