Bose Adelakun |
The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State Chapter has reiterated its commitment to ensure that everyone involved in the faulty elevator that caused the death of their member, Vwaere Diaso, at the General Hospital, Lagos Island is brought to book.
NATIONAL TELESCOPE earlier reported that Dr. Diaso died after the faulty elevator fell from the 10th floor of the building while was still inside it.
Following the incident, the NMA constituted 11-member panel comprised an independent committee of Doctors, Lawyers and Engineers, chaired to probe the circumstances that led to her death.
Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday after receiving the panels report, the NMA President, Benjamin Olowojebutu, said, “For us at the Nigerian Medical Association, the reason why we have made this an important part of our duty is that if something has been bad for that long and nothing had been done and it took the life of our doctor to make things happen, I feel, think it’s very preventable. It’s just common sense, put a slab on it and say ‘Do not use’, it’s just common sense.
“So everybody involved, every agency involved must answer the question. You know the way we’re in Nigeria, we’ll just say after a while we’ll all go back to normal stuff, we don’t want that, do you know why?
“It’s not only Doctors that can die, it can be anyone that can have this accident. There must be proper safety rules, there must be proper adherent rules that make sure Nigerians and Lagosians are safe.”
Earlier in its report, the panel revealed that the elevator was faulty and not fit for use.
Two house officers interviewed by the panel disclosed that the two elevators in the building were not operating satisfactorily for a long time.
In its recommendations, the panel said, “Following the standards of Lagos State Safety Commission, we recommend that hospital assets be maintained and serviced by the hospital management to avoid needless bureaucracy and such assets should be certified annually by competent professionals.
“Upon commissioning of assets or technical equipment, the operators of the equipment must be adequately trained and retrained on safety and proper operation and handling of emergencies.
“Routine safety drills should be conducted by safety officers for all staff.”
