The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a civil society organisation, has received with shock news reports on the alleged gruesome death of Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, at the Lagos Island General Hospital, Lagos.

According to reports, the young doctor died as a result of the injuries sustained when she was trapped in the hospital’s faulty elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued.

In a statement by Mr Tajudeen Alabede, National Coordinator and Mr. Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, General Secretary, the
NDD considers this development unacceptable and a clear case of criminal negligence on the part of those who have a duty to provide a safe work environment for her and other members of staff at the hospital.

“It is indescribable that a medical facility of that standing did not have blood within reach to rescue the badly injured doctor who offered her professional service in the same place”

The NDD observed that the elevator had been malfunctioning for several years now. Yet, it was not replaced.

“This is a sad testament to the poor state of infrastructure in many public institutions across the country”

The NDD, therefore, calls on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take urgent steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the avoidable accident which led to the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso and bring all the culprits to book.

It also called on the State Government to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of infrastructure in all government establishments, including schools, in the State and make the report of the audit public.

“Lagos should prove to the world that it is truly Nigeria’s centre of excellence”

The NDD expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and professional colleagues of Dr Vwaere Diaso.