LAGOS, Nigeria – The tragic death of Dr Vwaere Diaso in an elevator crash at a General Hospital in Lagos Island has sparked outrage among medical professionals and the public.
The incident occurred when an elevator, known to be in disrepair, crashed from the 10th floor to the ground, leading to Dr Diaso’s death.
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Lagos has expressed deep mourning over the loss and directed doctors in three government hospitals on the island to proceed on an indefinite strike.
The NMA has also declared a five-day mourning period, demanding an immediate investigation into the incident.
Social media users, particularly on Twitter, have expressed anger over the alleged negligence that led to the tragic incident.
A Twitter user recalled how the medical guild had complained about the poor state of the elevator three years ago, accusing the hospital authorities of failing to take action.
Almost 3 years ago on the 12th of January 2020, the Twitter handle @MedicalGuild complained about the poor state of the elevator in the 10-storey General Hospital building in Lagos, and as usual, nothing was done about it.
A General Hospital in a “Mega City” like Lagos has a… pic.twitter.com/QxAdfhG5BC
— SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) (@Sports_Doctor2) August 2, 2023
The NMA’s statement, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, signed by its Chairman, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Dr. Ismail Ajibowo, called for those found culpable to be brought to justice.
The association also demanded the complete overhaul of infrastructure in government hospitals, an improvement to the blood transfusion system in Lagos state, and scaled-down activities in all other government hospitals, with only emergency services being rendered for the next five days.
The tragic death of Dr. Diaso and the subsequent response by the medical community highlight the urgent need for improved safety standards and maintenance in healthcare facilities across Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration will likely face increased pressure to ensure that all medical facilities under its jurisdiction adhere to proper safety protocols and maintain essential infrastructure.
This tragic incident may be a stark reminder of the dire consequences of neglecting healthcare professionals’ wellbeing and working conditions.
It remains to be seen how the Lagos State Government will respond to the incident and the demands of the NMA.
The indefinite strike may significantly impact healthcare services on the island, and the public will be watching closely to see how authorities address the underlying issues that led to this devastating event.
