Tragedy Strikes as LUTH Doctor Passes Away Following Exhausting 72-Hour Shift
The medical community and social media have been rocked by the untimely demise of Dr. Umoh Michael, a young doctor who tragically lost his life on Sunday, September 17th.
The incident has ignited widespread outrage and sparked conversations about the demanding working conditions faced by medical professionals.
Dr. Michael’s passing, which occurred during a church service at the United Evangelical Church, has been attributed to his grueling 72-hour non-stop shift at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, where he served as a resident doctor. The news has generated a torrent of condolences and anger on social media platforms, with Twitter users expressing their sorrow and frustration.
Members of the medical community, represented by the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH chapter, have decried the circumstances leading to Dr. Michael’s death.
In a letter addressed to Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, they highlighted the overworking of the young doctor. The letter explained that Dr. Michael returned home around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, having barely slept, after enduring a relentless 72-hour shift in the Neurosurgery Unit.
The statement from the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH chapter, read, “We the house officers are in deep grief over the loss of our colleague, a co-house officer (Dr. Umoh Michael) who died on 17th September, 2023, after having a 72hrs call in the Neurosurgery Unit. He is said to have been on call 72hrs before arriving home on Sunday morning to get set for church service, reaching his worship center (United Evangelical Church) where he slumped in the church at about 11 am.”
Furthermore, his roommate attested to the fact that Dr. Michael had barely slept in their apartment over the past week due to his demanding schedule in the Neurosurgery Unit.
In response to the outcry, LUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Fakeye, sought to clarify the situation, stating, “It is not true that anybody worked for 72 hours. I have not been briefed about his death. We were at a program yesterday (Monday), but I will find out; I can’t say anything now. I will check the medical report of what could have happened because anybody can say anything, but the medical report will show us what happened.”
Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have been inundated with messages expressing grief and indignation over the alleged inhumane treatment of doctors. Users have shared their concerns about the toll such working conditions take on healthcare professionals and the potential ramifications for the medical field in Nigeria.
One Twitter user, @drfynrekins, lamented, “I salute my Hippocratic colleague & wish him farewell on his journey to the great beyond. I hope NMA Nigeria would come out strongly and protect these young doctors. These deaths are devastating and unacceptable, and it would further deplete the numbers of those practicing in Nigeria and discourage those still in medical school.”
Another user, @Doingood, implored employers to consider the well-being of their staff, stating, “We all need to be resting. Employers should please help us. May his Soul RIP.”
The tragedy has also raised questions about the healthcare system’s staffing and operational issues. @OgechukwuChime tweeted, “He is taking care of others and forgot to take care of himself,” while @Kuwait_magic remarked, “He lost his own life in the process of saving other people’s lives. God knows I can’t be this good. I no fit die to make you live.”
@Camax3000 simply wrote, “Overworked, Rest in Peace,” encapsulating the sentiment shared by many.
In the midst of this heartbreaking loss, some users, like @Mazi_Ibem and @JoelUdanyi, called on the Lagos State Government to address the shortage of doctors and the immense pressure they face in their daily duties.
“In a sane environment, it is a crime to work more than 11:30. You are entitled to 1-hour break as well,” emphasized @Kasalimi2029 on Twitter, shedding light on the need for reforms in the working conditions of healthcare professionals to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.