The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Lagos State has directed doctors working in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to begin an indefinite strike in response to the death of their colleague, Dr. Vwaere Diaso. The NMA also declared a five-day mourning period in the state and requested doctors in other government-owned hospitals to scale down activities in respect for their deceased colleague.
Dr. Diaso, a medical house officer, died on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, after being trapped in an elevator for over 40 minutes before being rescued. The NMA expressed their shock and sorrow over the incident and described it as an avoidable death.
The association demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. They also called for justice to be served, particularly holding the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms. Adenike Adekambi, accountable if found culpable.
As part of their demands, the NMA called for a complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island, urgent repairs of infrastructure in government hospitals, and revamping of the blood transfusion system in Lagos State to enhance services.
The NMA stated that their upcoming Annual General Meeting would be a low-key event out of respect for their deceased colleague. They assured their colleagues that the NMA Lagos State leadership is actively addressing the situation and seeking justice for Dr. Diaso.
“The NMA Lagos State received with rude shock the death of one of our members, Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, whose death occurred as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed. This is heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and quite unfortunate. We commiserate with her immediate family, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and all body of doctors in Lagos State. The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued.
“We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation.
“To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. 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, the statement read in part.
The association, however, demanded an immediate and unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We declare a five-day statewide mourning period; we demand an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident; all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, 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; 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.
“As a result of this sad incident, the State Officers Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State, has decided that the upcoming Annual General Meeting will be a low-key event as a mark of respect to our colleague. We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the statement noted.
