NMA declares strike in Lagos Island hospitals over doctor’s death in elevator accident

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has directed its members in the government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike over the death of Vwaere Diaso.

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

In a statement on Wednesday signed by Benjamin Olowojebutu, NMA Lagos chairman, the association described Diaso’s death as “heartbreaking, heart-wrenching and quite unfortunate”.

The affected health facilities where doctors will withdraw their services are General Hospital, Odan; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital; and Massey Street Children’s Hospital.

While commiserating with the deceased’s family, the NMA said it was informed that the doctor was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes, while there was no blood available for resuscitation.

“This was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning,” the statement reads.

“We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints have 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 also declared a five-day statewide mourning period for the deceased doctor.

The NMA also demanded an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The body of medical doctors also asked that “all those found culpable in the matter, especially Adenike Adekambi, general manager of the Lagos state infrastructure management agency”, are all brought to justice.

“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,” Olowojebutu said.

“We immediately direct our doctors in all the other government hospitals to scale down activities as a mark of respect for our dead colleague. Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days.

“The government should as a matter of urgency commence the complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island.

“All other infrastructures in all our government hospitals that need repairs should be urgently attended to. The blood transfusion system in Lagos state needs immediate revamping for improved services.”