‘False narrative’ — LUTH denies reports of late doctor working 72-hour shift

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has denied reports that Michael Umoh, a doctor at the health facility, worked for 72 hours before his death.

The doctor was said to have died on Sunday after working long hours.

In a letter to the LUTH chief medical director, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the hospital said the doctor had been on call for 72 hours before arriving home on Sunday morning to prepare for church service.

The association said the doctor slumped after reaching his church at about 11 am.

“His roommate attested to the fact that Umoh Michael has barely slept in their apartment over the past one week as he was always on call or the day he returns home is around 3 am after surgeries and other activities in Neurosurgery unit,” the letter reads.

But in a statement on Thursday, the LUTH management said the doctor was neither on shift on the day he died nor two days before.

The statement said the narrative making the rounds online is false as the doctor was only on shift four times in September.

“Dr Umoh died on Sept 17 while in church with his parents. The management was informed, and the death was later confirmed by one of the consultants in his unit (Neurosurgery),” the statement reads.

“The death of Dr Umoh is unfortunate but the narrative of a 72 hours non-stop shift is false.

“The record from Neurosurgery unit shows that the last time he was on call was 13th and 14th September, 2023.

“He was not on call on the 15th, 16th and 17th (the day he died), contrary to the insinuations on social media. He was at home with his parents on September 16 and September 17.

“Before this time, he was on call on the 7th and 8th of September, 2023. This shows that Dr Umoh was on call for a total number of 4 days in September 2023.”

The statement said a delegation from LUTH visited the family on Wednesday for commiserations and for more details on the circumstances surrounding his death.

“The parents gave the details of what they thought must have contributed to his death but pleaded that the wish of the family is respected and that the narrative is not for public consumption,” the statement reads.

“However, the family is saddened by the misinformation regarding the death of their beloved son on social media and other media outlets.

“Dr. Umoh was a hardworking and diligent house officer and a very promising young man. He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may the Almighty give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”