By Ayo Kehinde
Dr Vwaere and the crashed elevator
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Lagos State Chapter Lagos State has described as heartbreaking and hearth wrenching the death one of its members, Dr Diaso Vwaere, a medical house officer, whose death occurred as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed from a tenth floor in the hospital she was observing her house manship
In statement on Wednesday, Chairman of Lagos NMA, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Secretary, Dr. Ismail Ajibowo, called on the state government to investigate the cause of her death and punish those found culpable. They declared a 5-day morning and called on the state government to revamp it’s blood – donor policy. To expedite action, they asked their colleagues in the the hospital she worked to embark on strike, while others do skeletal services to press home their demands
“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 government on the previous policy on blood donation,” they said and itemized their other demands as follows:
1. We declare a 5 day statewide mourning period;
2. That we demand an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident;
3. That all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekanbi are all brought to Justice.
4 We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the Lagos Island (GH Lagos, LIMH, and MSCH) to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and
justice served;
5. 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;
6. That the government should as a matter of urgency commence the complete overhaul of the house officers quarters on the island;
7. That all other infrastructures in all our government hospitals that need repairs should be urgently attended to.
8. That 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,” they concluded.
