By Uthman Salami, Nathaniel Shaibu and Dele Ogunyemi
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday, indicted the management of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island over the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso who lost her life when the hospital’s elevator crashed on Tuesday.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Diaso lost her life while using the elevator to get her food from a dispatch rider when the incident happened.
Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, said Diaso, a native of Ewu Kingdom in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, died because the hospital management failed to maintain their facilities.
He, therefore, called on the Lagos State Government and the police to investigate the matter thoroughly to forestall a recurrence.
The statement read, “While we mourn her unfortunate and avoidable death, the hospital management failed in their duty to maintain facilities at the hospital which caused her untimely death.
“I, therefore, call on the Lagos State Government and Police authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident to avoid future reoccurrence.”
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, a family member said the family wanted a private burial for the deceased.
“The hospital and the state government have not reached out to the family but we want to have a private and quiet burial for our daughter,” the family member said.
Meanwhile, a civil society group, the Network for Democracy and Development, has described the incident leading to the doctor’s death as “unacceptable” and a case of “criminal negligence” on the part of those who were to ensure a safe environment for hospital workers.
The group made this known in a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Tajudeen Alabede, and General Secretary, Jameel Muhammad, on Thursday.
The statement partly read, “The NDD considers this development unacceptable and a clear case of criminal negligence on the part of those who must 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.
“NDD, therefore, calls on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take urgent steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the avoidable accident that led to the death of Dr Vwaere Diaso and bring all the culprits to book.
“Besides, the state government should conduct a comprehensive safety audit of infrastructure in all government establishments, including schools, in the state.
“The report of the audit should be made public. Lagos should prove to the world that it is truly Nigeria’s centre of excellence.”
Source: The Punch
