Reports from Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have confirmed the death of Dr Michael Umoh, who allegedly worked for an extended 72-hour shift.
News About Nigeria understands that Dr Michael tragically passed away on September 17 after an exhausting 72-hour call in the Neurosurgery Unit.
He reportedly arrived home early Sunday morning to attend church service but collapsed at his worship centre, the United Evangelical Church, at around 11:00 a.m.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LUTH chapter, in a letter, addressed to Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, expressed their concerns over the matter.
They pointed out that Dr. Michael’s roommate had confirmed that he had hardly slept in their apartment for the past week due to his work schedule.
The doctors alleged that he was consistently on call and returned home after surgeries and other activities in the Neurosurgery unit as late as 3:00 a.m.
Among their demands, ARD called for House Officers on call to be given either a half-day off or a midday start the following day, rather than being subjected to 48-hour continuous shifts.
They also urged for free or heavily subsidized health checks at the beginning of House jobs and called for a more supportive and friendly work environment created by senior colleagues, senior registrars, and registrars.
Additionally, they emphasized that House Officers should not be tasked with duties typically assigned to porters, nurses, or patient relatives.
In response to these claims, LUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Fakeye, stated, “It is not true that anybody worked for 72 hours. I have not been briefed about his death. We were at a program yesterday (Monday), but I will find out; I can’t say anything now.
“I will check the medical report of what could have happened because anybody can say anything, but the medical report will show to us what actually happened,” Fakeye added.
