The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a civil society organisation, received with shock news reports on the gruesome manner of the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, at the Lagos Island General Hospital, Lagos.
Reports indicated that the young doctor died as a result of the injuries she sustained when she was trapped in the hospital’s faulty elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued. To make matters worse, there was no blood available to resuscitate her!
NDD considers this development unacceptable and a clear case of criminal negligence on the part of those who have a duty to provide a safe work environment for her and other members of staff at the hospital.
It is indescribable that a medical facility of that standing did not have blood within reach to rescue the badly injured doctor who offered her professional service in the same place!
Reliable sources confirmed that the elevator had been malfunctioning for several years now. Yet, it was not replaced. This is a sad testament to the poor state of infrastructure in many public institutions across the country.
NDD, therefore, calls on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take urgent steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the avoidable accident which led to the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso and bring all the culprits to book.
Besides, the State Government should conduct a comprehensive safety audit of infrastructure in all government establishments, including schools, in the State. Report of the audit should be made public.
Lagos should prove to the world that it is truly Nigeria’s centre of excellence.
On behalf of all our stakeholders across the country, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and professional colleagues of Dr Vwaere Diaso.
God bless Nigeria.
Tajudeen Alabede
National Coordinator
Muhammad Jameel Muhammad
General Secretary
2nd August 2023.
