Amid Subsidy Removal Protests, NMA Declares Indefinite Strike In Lagos

Amid protests over the Federal Government’s recent fuel subsidy removal, the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos division, has declared an indefinite strike after a medical doctor died as a result of an elevator crash at the General Hospital Idan in Lagos Island.

The association directed that its members working in some government-owned hospitals to join the indefinite strike as a sign of respect to the deceased doctor.

The hospitals to observe the action are the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, and the Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos.

NMA disclosed this in a press statement signed by its state Chairman, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Ismail Ajibowo on Wednesday.

Dr Vwaere Diaso died at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos after being trapped in an elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued, according to reports.

The NMA said there was also no blood available to help resuscitate the deceased after she was rescued, leading to her death.

The association demanded an immediate investigation into the circumstances that led to Diaso’s death.

The statement read in part “The NMA Lagos State received with rude shock the death of one of our members, Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, whose death occurred as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed. This is heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and quite unfortunate. We commiserate with her immediate family, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and all body of doctors in Lagos State. The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued.

“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 the government on the previous policy on blood donation.

“To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints have been made to all relevant agencies with no respite.”

The association has however, demanded an immediate investigation into the incident that led to the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso.

“We declare a five-day statewide mourning period; we demand an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident; all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency,. Ms Adenike Adekambi are all brought to justice.

“We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the Island (GH Lagos, LIMH, and MSCH) to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and justice 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 government should as a matter of urgency commence the complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island; all other infrastructures in all our government hospitals that need repairs should be urgently attended to. 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.”