A Nigerian woman, Chidimma Susan Ezenyili, tragically passed away on February 24th, two days after collapsing while working as a caregiver in the UK. She was 37 years old.
Ezenyili, who previously practiced law in Nigeria, had migrated to the UK in August 2023 with her husband, Friday, and their young daughter, Mandy. They secured caregiver jobs on sponsored visas, aiming to provide their daughter with better opportunities.
Ezenyili had been caring for an 86-year-old man, Ian Hale, for five months when the incident occurred. “She wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to let my dad down,” recounted Hale’s daughter, Catherine Segal. “She was driven there by her husband with their three-year-old daughter.”
Segal described the sudden collapse: “She collapsed on Thursday, February 22nd, and stopped breathing and didn’t have a pulse.” Neighbors and community first responders rushed to help, eventually getting Ezenyili onto life support in an ambulance.
However, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, doctors discovered a severe brain hemorrhage. According to Saul Segal, Catherine’s husband, “Life support was sadly turned off two days later, on February 24th, and she passed away with her husband by her side.”
Saul described Ezenyili as “a really good carer. Kind, considerate, and always willing to help no matter what the circumstances.” He highlighted her aspirations to pursue her law career in the UK after completing her sponsorship as a caregiver.
Ezenyili’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and challenges faced by many immigrants seeking a better life abroad. Her dedication to her family and her willingness to go above and beyond for those she cared for are a testament to her character.
