A protest ensues after malfunctioning elevator results in the death of a doctor at a hospital in Lag
A tragic end befell Dr. Vwaere Diaso, a medical doctor from Edo State, as her aspirations were shattered when she lost her life on Tuesday at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island. The unfortunate incident occurred when the elevator she was in malfunctioned and crashed.
Having been inducted just last year after a six-year tenure at Babcock University, the doctor carried with her ambitious dreams and anticipations.
Regrettably, her aspirations for a thriving medical profession, coupled with her desire to contribute her medical expertise for the betterment of the community and society, were tragically shattered due to this unfortunate event.
Prior to her passing, it has been revealed that she was just under two weeks away from completing her internship.
Reportedly, a delivery rider, delivering the online-ordered meal she had requested, contacted her via phone to inform her of his arrival. In an unfortunate turn of events, while using the malfunctioning elevator, the crane abruptly plummeted from the 10th floor – the same floor she was on – and crashed to the ground, generating a resounding crash that reverberated throughout the hospital's foundation. Amidst the wreckage, she was discovered severely injured.
Prior to Dr. Diaso's tenure as a student doctor at the hospital, both resident doctors and the hospital's personnel had repeatedly raised concerns about the elevator's deteriorating state, dating back to 2011. This situation was further exacerbated by a range of other structural challenges afflicting the hospital.
The elevator's condition had deteriorated to the point where it frequently paused during operation, necessitating users to manually close it in order to proceed with their journey.
An unnamed colleague of Daiso remarked, "On several occasions, the elevator came to a halt while we were inside. Despite reporting each occurrence, no maintenance was conducted. The elevator was designed to accommodate a maximum of 630kg or eight individuals. If you saw two people upon opening the elevator, you had to wait for the next trip. The persistent malfunction was known, and that's why we are unwilling to overlook this."
Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health, conveyed that the state government is actively probing the underlying cause of the incident.
Akosile emphasized that the governor has instructed for a comprehensive inquiry to be conducted, emphasizing that any state personnel found responsible will not escape consequences.
A close friend of the deceased doctor, Dr. Joy Aifuobhokhan, fondly depicted her as the most brilliant, selfless, and joyful individual she encountered during their time in medical school.
Dr. Aifuobhokhan, who shared the same academic journey with the late doctor, stated, "She was not only my colleague but also my friend. We became acquainted during our medical school years and collaborated on various occasions."
"I worked there from 2021 to 2022, and our grievances about the elevator were relentless. I experienced being trapped in the elevator myself, and I was fortunate to be rescued. Almost every doctor has encountered being stranded in the elevator.
"Medical practitioners have been voicing concerns since 2011. Additionally, the power supply was limited to just two hours. There was a lack of water, and individuals had to manually fetch water by climbing. When we raised our objections, we were told that the hospital had no doctor's quarters during their time, and therefore, we shouldn't be complaining."
In response to whether any formal complaints were filed with the authorities, she stated, "We are under the Health Service Commission of Lagos State, and we've penned numerous letters to them. They have occasionally conducted repairs, but the elevator reverts to malfunctioning within a day, resetting our progress. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical Guild are both informed about the situation, yet no remedial action has been taken."
Portraying the departed, she remarked, "She shone as the brightest among us; her perpetual smile was contagious. Even amid the collective grievances, Diaso remained cheerful, always returning to attend to patients. Dr. Diaso stood out as the finest among us. It's unfair that she is the one bearing the consequences of negligence.
"We discussed her future prospects at the place I currently work, and she eagerly anticipated beginning her housemanship alongside us."
In the interim, the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called upon doctors in the three government hospitals on the Island – General Hospital Lagos, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Massey Street Children Hospital – to initiate an indefinite strike until justice prevails.
In a released statement, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, the Lagos State NMA Chairman, alongside Dr. Ismail Ajibowo, the Secretary, conveyed that the association has instituted a five-day period of statewide mourning in the wake of Dr. Diaso's passing. She suffered fatal injuries after being trapped in an elevator at Lagos General Hospital for over 40 minutes.
The NMA has characterized her demise as preventable and is urging an immediate, impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The association is calling for the accountability of all individuals found responsible for the incident, particularly emphasizing the need for justice to be served upon Ms. Adenike Adekambi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency (LASIAMA).
Furthermore, the Lagos State government has initiated an inquiry into the doctor's untimely death.
The state issued a statement expressing its profound dismay upon learning about Dr. Diaso's demise.
The statement conveyed, "The state government, particularly the administration and workforce of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, extends its heartfelt condolences to the grieving family of the deceased, whose daughter tragically passed away due to the mechanical malfunction of an elevator at Lagos Island's General Hospital, Odan.
"An investigation, led by a team comprising officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos State Safety Commission, and certified experts in Lift and Vertical Transportation Equipment, has been launched.
"The Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that anyone identified as negligent based on the inquiry's findings will be subject to appropriate consequences."
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