National Medical Association Speaks on How Resident Doctor Died in Rivers Hospital
- Media reports claiming a young doctor died after a “72-hour shift” in Rivers State have been refuted by the Nigeria Medical Association
- The NMA clarified that Oluwafemi Rotifa was off duty and resting in the hospital’s call room when he passed away
- His death has reignited concerns over Nigeria’s strained healthcare system and the wellbeing of medical professionals
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Rivers State has dismissed widespread media reports suggesting that a young resident doctor, Oluwafemi Rotifa, died after enduring a gruelling “72-hour shift” at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt.
In an interview with *PREMIUM TIMES* on Thursday, NMA spokesperson Siene Orogun clarified that Mr Rotifa had been off duty and was unwell at the time of his death.
Source: Facebook
She stated that the doctor had chosen to remain in the hospital’s call room—a designated rest area for medical staff—despite being granted leave to recuperate.
“Even his mom wanted him to come home, but he said he just preferred to be in the call room, at least when the guys go to work, they will come into the call room and gist and play together,” Mrs Orogun said.
Doctor’s Death Not Linked to Continuous Call Duty
Contrary to reports circulating in several Nigerian newspapers, Mrs Orogun emphasised that Mr Rotifa was not on active duty the night he passed away. She explained that he had been resting in the call room and was not seen in the hospital wards, which would have been the case had he collapsed while working.
“But nobody saw him because he was alone in the call room,” she said.
According to the NMA, Mr Rotifa had been on medication for three days prior to his death. He was initially administered a malaria injection but later opted to prescribe intravenous quinine for himself when his condition failed to improve.
The World Health Organization recommends intravenous quinine as an alternative treatment for severe malaria.
Mrs Orogun recounted that the late doctor had spent time watching football and sharing meals with colleagues in the call room before they left to attend to patients in the accident and emergency ward. When they returned around 2 a.m., they found him lifeless.
“We have been reading a lot of stories since Femi (Rotifa) died. But the truth is, he was on medication for three days, so we allowed him to rest,” she said.
Healthcare Worker Shortage in Nigeria
Mr Rotifa’s death comes amid a growing crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, where an acute shortage of doctors and medical personnel continues to strain the system. Many professionals have opted to seek employment abroad in pursuit of better pay and improved working conditions, leaving the country’s hospitals understaffed and overstretched.
The remains of Mr Rotifa were laid to rest on Friday, 5 September. His passing has sparked renewed conversations about the pressures faced by medical workers in Nigeria, though the NMA has urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid sensational narratives.
Source: Legit.ng
