Mohammed Shosanya
The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Health Institutions to investigate the death of Dr. Michael Umoh, a medical personnel at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
It said the probe is to ensure that medical personnel in Nigeria work under favourable conditions.
The Committee on Labour and Employment was also mandated to assist in the assignment.
The Committees are to report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
The resolutions of the House followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Investigate the Untimely Death of Medical Personnel on Duty” brought by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola, (APC, Lagos).
Moving the motion,Hon. Adesola noted the importance of medical personnel as the fulcrum of the healthcare delivery system.
“The House also noted that on September 17, 2023, a medical officer on residency programme in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Michael Umoh reportedly died after spending 72 hours on duty in the Neurosurgery unit of the Institution;
“The House is aware of a recent related incident of a young female medical doctor who lost her life due to elevator failure in a general Hospital, which could have been avoided with improved working conditions;
“The House is concerned that there have been several other reports of medical personnel dying as a result of harsh working conditions and other forms of negligence, thus robbing the country of her best brains;
“Cognizant that such similar cases have reinforced the agitation of National Association of Resident Doctors, Nigeria Medical Association and other associated bodies for improved conditions of service as evidenced by the recent industrial strike embarked upon by Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to press home their demands”.