Nigerians have reacted to the death of Umoh Michael, a medical doctor, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The late doctor was said to have died on Sunday after working for long hours at the hospital.
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 get set for church service.
The association said the deceased slumped after reaching his church at about 11 a.m.
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“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 a.m. after surgeries and other activities in the Neurosurgery unit,” the letter reads.
Following reports of the incident, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their displeasure at the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death with many saying medical practitioners should not work long hours.
Some of those who vented their feelings described the incident as a fallout of inadequate staff at public healthcare facilities.
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He is taking care of others and forget to take care of himself
— Ogechukwu Chime (@OgechukwuChime) September 20, 2023
That is 3 days non stop. That is exhausting
Advertisement— Izi Gab (@IziGab1) September 20, 2023
Nigeria 🇳🇬 just happened to another young promising doctor.
Sad 😭— OBOLO-BLOOD! (@demakedon2015) September 20, 2023
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This is sad.
Result of a health institution being understaffed…🤷🏾♀️if not what else?Advertisement— Udanyi Joel (@JoelUdanyi) September 20, 2023
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doctors need rest too, the brain drain is k*lling healthcare workers
— Dr. Rashid Alhassan (@Dr_Rashidd) September 20, 2023
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I’m surprised that Sanwoolu could not hire enough Doctors for LASUTH and pay them well with all the money they make in Lagos. The issue of bullying him to overwork would have been avoided. RIP to Umoh Michael.
— TC (@tibugzy) September 20, 2023
Wondering if he’s trying to win workarthon in the form of cookarthon. What’s that please. Body no be firewood. After years of school stressed and still facing work stress but 72hrs is too much. The LUTH authority needs to be sanctioned.
— Tochukwu Franklin (Kingklin) (@TochukwuFrankl4) September 20, 2023
Every single day in this country, “Nigeria” happens to one or many Nigerian Youths, and at the same time, someone is stealing the Govt funds that would help change things.
72hrs non stop shift, who does that? Is that an attempt for Guinness World Record? What happened to others?
— John Nyong (@Nyong__John) September 20, 2023
My colleagues during our housemanship did 2 weeks 24 hours call in Neurosurgery unit, others did 8 days 24 hours call in plastic unit. Same thing wanted to happen in SCBU but patients death rate soared that it has to be stopped.
— Lordbyke (@medguy_1) September 20, 2023
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