A heartbreaking incident at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has shed light on the strenuous conditions faced by medical professionals in Nigeria’s healthcare system. A young medical doctor at LUTH tragically lost his life after reportedly performing an exhausting 72-hour surgery without a break in the hospital’s neurosurgery unit.
This devastating event was disclosed by the Association of Resident Doctors in a letter dated September 19, which was addressed to LUTH’s chief medical director. In the letter, titled “An Appeal By The House Officers Of LUTH,” the house officers accused their senior colleagues of subjecting them to bullying, imposing strenuous call hours without adequate breaks, and failing to provide essential support such as meals and suitable accommodation.
The letter conveyed the deep grief and sorrow felt by the house officers over the loss of their colleague, Dr. Umoh Michael. Dr. Michael tragically passed away on September 17, 2023, after enduring a grueling 72-hour call in the Neurosurgery Unit. His relentless dedication to patient care meant he had barely slept in his apartment over the past week, as he was frequently on call or returning home after long hours of surgeries and other demanding responsibilities in the unit.
Investing In Healthcare Can Solve Nigeria’s Challenges – Experts
The protest letter highlighted that house officers have been grappling with persistent challenges since they began their housemanship at the hospital. These issues include mistreatment by senior colleagues, the burden of stressful call hours without adequate rest, the absence of proper meals during calls, and subpar accommodation arrangements.
In response to these challenges, the house officers demanded changes to their working conditions. They requested that house officers who had completed calls the previous day should either have a half-day off the following day or be allowed to start work at midday. Additionally, they emphasized that house officers should not be compelled to work for 48 hours continuously.
The letter also called for more affordable house check fees at the start of the house job and urged senior colleagues to create a more hospitable working environment for house officers, preventing them from having to perform tasks outside of their professional roles.
As of now, LUTH has not issued an official response to this tragic incident or the concerns raised in the letter. Meanwhile, friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Umoh Michael have taken to social media to mourn his untimely passing, shining a light on the dedication and sacrifices made by healthcare professionals in Nigeria’s challenging medical landscape.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.