Lagos sets up inquiry team to probe elevator accident that killed doctor

The Lagos state government says it has set up an inquiry team to investigate the elevator accident that killed Vwaere Diaso, a medical doctor.

Diaso died on Tuesday after an elevator at the General Hospital, Lagos Island, which she was in, fell from the 10th floor.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Lagos state government said it received the news of the doctor’s death with shock.

“The state government, especially management and staff of the Lagos state ministry of health, commiserate with the family of the deceased on the unfortunate loss of their daughter who passed on as a result of the mechanical failure of an elevator at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island,” the statement reads.

“An inquiry by a team of officials from the Lagos state ministry of health, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos State Safety Commission and certified Lift and Vertical Transportation Equipment experts has commenced.

“The Lagos state government will ensure that anyone found negligent by the report of the inquiry will face appropriate sanctions.”

Since news of the doctor’s death became public, many Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise the hospital’s management for negligence.

The elevator was said to have had faults which staff had frequently complained about to no avail.

In a statement reacting to the news, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had directed its members in General Hospital, Odan; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital; and Massey Street Children’s Hospital, to embark on an indefinite strike.

“We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the island (GH Lagos, LIMH, and MSCH) to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and justice served,” the statement reads.