Tragedy struck at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, when a young and promising medical doctor, Dr. Vwaere Diaso, lost her life due to a devastating elevator accident on Tuesday. Dr. Diaso, who had recently completed her internship after six years of dedicated study at Babcock University, had high hopes of building a flourishing medical career and using her skills to benefit the community.
The unfortunate incident occurred when a dispatch rider delivered food to Dr. Diaso and notified her of his arrival. While using the faulty elevator to reach the 10th floor, disaster struck as the crane supporting the elevator collapsed, causing it to plummet to the ground with a deafening crash. Trapped in the ruins, Dr. Diaso was found badly injured.
It has been revealed that the elevator had been in poor condition since 2011, and numerous complaints were made by resident doctors and hospital staff about its malfunctioning. The elevator frequently stopped during its operation, forcing users to manually close it to continue their journey. Despite these complaints, no proper maintenance or repairs were carried out.
A close colleague of Dr. Diaso, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “We reported every time it happened. The elevator is supposed to carry 630kg maximum – that is eight people. Once you open the elevator and see two people already, you just have to wait for the next batch. It was faulty, and they knew about it. That’s why we’re not going to take this.”
The news of Dr. Diaso’s untimely death has sparked outrage and grief among her friends, colleagues, and the medical community. Dr. Joy Aifuobhokhan, a close friend and former classmate of the late doctor, described her as the brightest, selfless, and happiest person she had ever known during their time at medical school. Dr. Aifuobhokhan confirmed that complaints about the elevator’s condition had been raised since 2011, but little was done to address the issue.
In response to the tragedy, the Lagos State government has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause of the incident. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed that a thorough investigation be conducted, and anyone found culpable would face consequences.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also taken a strong stance in this matter. The Lagos State Chapter of NMA declared a five-day statewide mourning period and asked doctors in three government hospitals on the Island to embark on an indefinite strike until justice is served. They demand an unbiased investigation and are calling for those responsible, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency (LASIAMA), Ms. Adenike Adekambi, to be brought to justice.
The Lagos State Government expressed its shock and condolences to the family of Dr. Diaso. An inquiry team consisting of officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos State Safety Commission, and certified Lift and Vertical Transportation Equipment experts has been set up to investigate the incident. The government has promised that anyone found negligent in the inquiry report will face appropriate sanctions.
As the investigation unfolds, the medical community and the public at large are calling for accountability and swift action to ensure such avoidable tragedies are prevented in the future. Dr. Vwaere Diaso’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
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