Toba Owojaiye reporting
A tragic incident occurred at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Umoh Michael, a dedicated Resident Doctor passed away on September 17, 2023, after an exhausting 72-hour surgery marathon in the neurosurgery unit.
The shocking news came to light through a letter from the Association of Resident Doctors addressed to LUTH’s chief medical director on September 19. Titled ‘An Appeal By The House Officers Of LUTH,’ the letter expressed grave concerns about working conditions and the circumstances leading to Dr. Michael’s untimely death.
The letter revealed the challenges faced by house officers at LUTH, including bullying by senior colleagues, relentless call hours without proper breaks, and inadequate provisions for food and accommodation. Dr. Michael’s case highlighted the toll these conditions took on medical staff.
Dr. Michael had been on a continuous 72-hour call in the Neurosurgery Unit before collapsing at his church, the United Evangelical Church, around 11 a.m. on a Sunday morning.
House officers lamented the heavy workload, citing Dr. Michael’s roommate who stated he barely slept due to his demanding schedule. They demanded changes, including mandatory time off after a call shift and no continuous 48-hour shifts. They also emphasized the need for better support, including subsidized house checks and not being burdened with duties meant for others.
A 72 hour marathon shift is a gross violation of the International Labour Organization rules and calls for more to be done to ensure a good working condition for the patient and the healthcare practitioners.