A 26-year-old Nigerian international student, Obanyeli Jesse Chima, has died in London after suffering a severe asthma attack shortly after completing his master’s degree in Public Health in the United Kingdom.
Chima was reportedly waiting in a lounge to meet friends for a joint birthday celebration when he complained of breathing difficulties and stepped outside to get some fresh air.
However, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite using three inhalers, he reportedly struggled to breathe, prompting one of his friends to call an ambulance.
Chima collapsed while his friend was still speaking with the emergency operator. His friends immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under the operator’s instructions while waiting for emergency responders.
Paramedics reportedly spent about two hours attempting to stabilise him before rushing him to the hospital, where he was placed on life support.
Doctors initially hoped he would recover, although they feared he might suffer memory loss. However, two days later, medical tests confirmed that he was brain-dead after he showed no signs of improvement.
Chima, a passionate supporter of Chelsea Football Club who had previously worked at the club, leaves behind three siblings in Nigeria.
According to his friend, Eva, Chima’s family had been saving money to travel to London to celebrate his graduation. However, those funds may now be needed to transport his body to Nigeria for burial.
His friends have since begun raising funds to repatriate his remains, hoping to enable his family to bring him home and give him a befitting burial.