Lagos medical guild declares three-day mourning for dead doctors

The Lagos chapter of Medical Guild has declared a three-day mourning period in the state health sector, over the death of three doctors.

In a communique issued on Monday after an executive council meeting, the guild said the late doctors — Otukoya, Aluko, and Shuaib — were all principal medical officers at Alimosho General Hospital.

Sa’eid Ahmad, chairman of the guild, who signed the communique, said the doctors’ deaths were due to different illnesses aggravated by stress.

The association said the general welfare and well-being of doctors and other health workers in Lagos state have for long been a subject of “relentless discussions”.

“The devastating phenomenon of Brain drain, and its attendant work overload for the doctors remaining on­ shore, and the negative consequences of severe manpower shortage has been repeatedly emphasized,” the communique reads.

“The Medical Guild, only 10 days ago forwarded a concise but wide-covering Position Paper to Mr Governor, centered on the need to Declare a State of Emergency in the Health sector and activate immediate palliative, medium and long-term welfare incentives for the doctors and health workers in the state.

“During this period, all Lagos State employed Medical/Dental practitioners are to conduct in a solemn manner in respect for our dead colleagues.

“In Alimosho General Hospital, the centre where all three late colleagues practised, all elective procedures are to be Rescheduled within this period.

“Only Emergencies are expected to be attended to. This is in deference to the deep psychological state surviving colleagues in that centre must be going through and as a mark of respect for these fallen heroes.

“Pursuant to the Comprehensive Position Paper already forwarded to Mr Governor, the Lagos State Government is hereby Issued a 48-hour period within which actual meaningful engagement with the Medical Guild on all Welfare matters affecting doctors in Lagos State is to be convened.”

The guild said it would assess progress on the request for engagement with the governor at its general assembly, starting on September 28, and the next actions decided.