The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, has urged medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to go on strike indefinitely in response to what it calls the avoidable death of Dr Diaso Vwaere in an elevator accident.
The decision was contained in a statement jointly signed yesterday in Lagos by the Chairman and Secretary of the NMA in the state, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Dr Ajibowo Ismail, amid an outpouring of rage from a cross-section of Nigerians.
Dr Vwaere, a medical house officer at the General Hospital in Odan, Lagos, died on August 1 as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was riding in collapsed from the hospital’s 10th floor to the ground when she was on her way to pick up the supper she had ordered from a dispatch rider.
She had been locked in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before being rescued, and no blood was available to resuscitate her. It was also learned that she will finish her horsemanship at the hospital in two weeks.
The NMA has ordered doctors at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Massey Street Children’s Hospital to go on strike until the reason for her death is determined and justice is given.
“We learned that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before being rescued. We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, which has become a recurring issue as a result of the government’s review of the previous blood donation policy.”
“To us, this was an avoidable death and, unfortunately, it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints had been made to all relevant agencies with no respite.
“It is very painful that at a time when the country is battling with unprecedented brain drain, a young colleague that would have been expected to attend to 6,000 Nigerians was allowed to die a needless death,” the association said.
It demanded an immediate, neutral examination of the regrettable incident’s circumstances.
“That all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are brought to justice,” the association stated.
As a token of respect for their deceased colleague, the NMA also instructed all doctors in other government hospitals in the state to reduce their activity. “For the next five days, only emergency services should be provided,” it stated.
The union urged the government to initiate an urgent overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island, as well as to fix the infrastructure in all government hospitals that needed it.
The NMA also encouraged the administration to restructure the state’s blood transfusion system to improve services.
“We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm, as the NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not only served but also seen to have been served,” the organisation said.
It expressed condolences to the late doctor’s family, colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and the state’s doctors while praying for the strength to bear the irreparable and tragic loss.
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