Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed investigation into the tragic death of a female doctor, Vwaere Diaso, in an elevator at General hospital, Odan in Lagos Island on Tuesday, August 1.
Vwaere, who was about to finish her housemanship in two weeks, had her life cut short when the elevator of the hospital crashed from the 10th floor to the ground floor.
She was said to have sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital where she passed away.
Also read: And We Lost Dr. Vwaere To Nigeria’s Anyhowness
In a statement released, Sanwo-Olu expressed his sadness over her demise, adding that an investigation into the cause of the mechanical fault in the elevator has commenced.
‘’I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Dr. Vwaere Diaso, a dedicated medical professional whose life was taken due to a mechanical failure within the elevator at the Doctors quarters of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island. It is distressing to think that such a promising young doctor had her life cut short in such a devastating manner.
‘‘As a parent myself, I cannot help but feel the pain and sorrow that Dr. Diaso’s loved ones must be experiencing during this difficult time. My heart goes out to her parents, family members, friends, and colleagues who are grieving this profound loss.
To the Nigeria Medical Association, the Medical Guild, and all the doctors in Lagos State, I extend my deepest sympathies. Losing a fellow healthcare professional is a tremendous loss for the entire medical community.
In light of this tragedy, I have taken immediate action to initiate a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure. It is my sincere commitment that this investigation will be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness, leaving no room for any biases or favoritism.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident. May Dr. Vwaere Diaso’s soul rest in eternal peace, and may her memory serve as a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of our healthcare professionals. Amen.”
How she died
The medical doctor, Dr. Diaso who died in an elevator accident completed her medical degree at Babcock University.
According to her colleagues and friends, Vwaere went to pick up her meal from a dispatch ride when the incident happened.
She was coming from the 10th floor when the elevator which had reportedly been faulty for sometime, crashed to the ground floor.
She was later rushed to the emergency ward where she passed away.
Her friends and colleagues allege that the elevator had been faulty for sometime but the hospital management allegedly failed to repair it until it claimed her life yesterday, August 1.
‘’Particularly aggrieved because we’ve complained for a long time about this elevator. We’ve manoeuvered, managed and prayed each time we had to use it. Empty promises will be made to fix it….till it killed one of us” one of her colleagues wrote on Twitter.
Doctors protest
Following this, doctors protested in the hospital over the demise of their colleagues and grounded activities there on Wednesday.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “I don’t want to die,” “Doctors’ lives matter,” “Justice for Vwaere,” “The system failed you, Diaso,” and “Here is Vwaere Diaso, she didn’t have to die for us to get it right.”
Diaso’s protesting colleagues shut the hospital’s main gate, the health service commission’s gate, and the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital’s gate.
They expressed displeasure over the death of their colleague while accusing the hospital management of negligence.
Reacting, the NMA state Chairman, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Ismail Ajibowo, in a statement, directed all doctors working in the three government hospitals on Lagos Island to commence an indefinite strike.
“We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the island to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and justice is 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 statement read in part.
