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The shooting of a medical practitioner at a Lagos State Government General Hospital has sparked outrage.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has instructed its members to go on indefinite strike.
Dr. Vwaere Diaso died in the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, when the elevator she was riding collapsed from the 10th to the ground level.
The event has sparked uproar on social media due to allegations of hospital malpractice.
According to sources, the late doctor was transported to the hospital’s emergency room, where she eventually died.
It was discovered that the elevator had malfunctioned multiple times before to the incident on Tuesday.
In a tweet, a Twitter user with the handle @Sports_Doctor2 recounted how the medical guild had protested about the hospital’s faulty elevator.
“On the 12th of January 2020, almost 3 years ago, the Twitter handle @MedicalGuild complained about the poor state of the elevator in the 10-story General Hospital building in Lagos, and as usual, nothing was done about it,” he wrote.
“A General Hospital in a “Mega City” like Lagos has a non-functional elevator, which was left that way, and it has now taken a life, the life of a young doctor.”
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Lagos has expressed deep sorrow over the death of one of its members and demanded an investigation.
The NMA also established a five-day period of mourning and demanded “an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.”
The NMA said in a statement issued by its Chairman, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Dr. Ismail Ajibowo, that all those found guilty must face justice.
It also ordered its doctors in the three government hospitals on the island to go on strike indefinitely until the investigations are completed and justice is served.
“As a mark of respect for our deceased colleague, we immediately direct our doctors in all other government hospitals to reduce their activities.” For the following five days, only emergency services should be provided.
“That the government immediately begin a complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island.”
“That all other infrastructures in all of our government hospitals that require repair be addressed as soon as possible.” “That the blood transfusion system in Lagos state requires immediate revamping for improved services.”
The NMA further stated that as a result of the incident, the association’s state officers committee resolved that the upcoming Annual General Meeting will be a low-key affair.
It appealed to the members to remain calm, saying the leadership of the NMA 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.”
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