House officers at Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have voiced their concerns over the challenging working conditions they face and the tragic death of one of their colleagues, Dr. Umoh Michael, who was allegedly on a grueling 72-hour shift. Dr. Michael passed away on September 17, reportedly after working for an extended period in the Neurosurgery Unit.
According to reports, Dr. Michael had been on call for the duration of 72 hours before returning home on Sunday morning for church service. Tragically, he slumped and passed away in his place of worship, the United Evangelical Church, at around 11:00 a.m.
A letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, from medical doctors affiliated with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LUTH, detailed the challenges they have faced since commencing their housemanship at the hospital. They cited instances of bullying by senior colleagues, grueling call hours without breaks, a lack of food during their shifts, and subpar accommodation.
In their request for improved working conditions, the doctors made several demands:
1. House Officers on call the previous day should be allowed either a half-day off the next day or should begin work by midday the following day. They should not be required to work for 48 hours continuously.
2. Compulsory health checks at the start of House jobs should either be free or significantly subsidized for House Officers.
3. Senior colleagues, senior registrars, and registrars should create a more supportive and friendly work environment for House Officers.
4. House Officers should not be tasked with responsibilities typically assigned to porters, nurses, or patient relatives.
In response to these concerns, LUTH’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Omolola Fakeye, stated that she had not received information about any individual working for 72 hours and that she was unaware of the circumstances surrounding Dr. Michael’s death. She mentioned that she would investigate the situation further, emphasizing the importance of medical reports in understanding the events leading to his passing.
