Habila Had Hole In Heart, Died Of Cardiac Arrest — Family Reveals

• The family of 25-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, has disclosed for the first time in its account of her life that she had been diagnosed with a hole in her heart and had been living with the condition before her death.

• Habila, who was attached to the medical team at the residence of Minister of Works, David Umahi, died on June 27 at the minister’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, with her death subsequently triggering calls for an investigation.

• The family said Habila’s condition became critical despite medical treatment, prayers and support from her loved ones, and that she eventually died from cardiac arrest.

• The revelation comes amid a dispute over an autopsy requested by Umahi and a N20 billion suit filed against the minister by the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Associations, which alleged a breach of duty of care while Habila was in his custody.

August 26, () — The family of 25-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, has disclosed that she had been diagnosed with a hole in her heart and died following a cardiac arrest.

The disclosure, contained in the biography published in the programme for her burial, provides the family’s account of Habila’s medical history as controversy continues over the circumstances surrounding her death at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Habila was buried on Friday in her hometown of Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to her family, the young nurse had lived with the heart condition while maintaining hope and confronting her health challenges with courage.

“Mary Habila lived with a heart condition, having been diagnosed with a hole in her heart. Though she faced significant health challenges, she carried herself with courage, faith, and quiet resilience,” the family stated.

The family said her condition subsequently deteriorated despite medical treatment, prayers and the support of relatives. It said Habila eventually suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

“Though her life was cut short, Mary will always be remembered for her strength in the face of adversity, the love she shared, and the lasting impact she made on everyone blessed to know her,” the family added.

Death At Minister’s Residence

Habila died on June 27 at Umahi’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she was attached to the minister’s medical team.

Her death attracted public attention and raised questions about what transpired at the residence before she died.

As calls for an investigation mounted, Umahi asked the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on Habila’s remains. The minister also requested that the remains should not be released to the family until the post-mortem examination had been completed.

Umahi maintained that the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause and circumstances of the nurse’s death.

Although, Habila’s family opposed the request, saying it did not want an autopsy conducted on Habila’s remains. Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently said it would conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.