Nigerian Doctor Dies After Reportedly Working for 72 Hours, Colleagues Mourn: “He Was Denied Rest”
- A Nigerian doctor, Dr Femi Rotifa, died after reportedly working for 72 hours nonstop
- A fellow doctor shared details about his death and called for justice, as his association confirmed it
- Many who came across the post sympathised with the doctor's family and shared their thoughts on the young man's demise
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A young Nigerian doctor, Dr Femi Rotifa, lost his life in the line of duty as he died after reportedly working for 72 hours nonstop.
Dr. Femi was a resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
Source: Twitter
His death was announced on the official page of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, where he once served as the president.
The announcement read:
"It is with a heavy heart and profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our 35th President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association (PUMSA), Dr. Rotifa Femi, who died while on duty.
"Dr. Femi was a resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). As PUMSA President, he served with diligence, passion, and excellence, elevating the bar and leaving behind a legacy of leadership and impact that will not be forgotten."
A doctor, Olusina Ajidahun, shared what reportedly happened to Dr Femi, stating that the deceased was denied rest at work.
On his X page, @_thebeardedsina, Dr Sina said:
"A Doctor was overworked in an extreme inconsiderate toxic system. The Dr was said to have complained that he doesn't feel good and wanted to take some time off to attend to his health.
"He was denied time to rest, he was stretched to work for 72 hours. While he was resting after, he was said to have later died. He was a Surgery resident and was just starting post NYSC. Is this what Medicine has turned to in Nigeria?
"A system filled with toxicity that has zero regards for its junior colleagues. I call on the government and other stakeholders to investigate this case thoroughly. We demand justice. This Doctor should not have died."
See the tweet below:
Reactions trail doctor's death after 72-hour work
@DrJohnAfam said:
"Add that he had just passed his PLAB 2. He was already working to be away from the system. This is too much tbh. We can’t continue like this!!!"
@davidoghe said:
"The painful part is, I have heard similar story in the past, same trended a year ago about a doctor that over worked his time, forced to do overtime, complained about not feeling fine, seek for a day off to take care of himself but he was denied and later lost his life, the hospital trended here."
@Great01946235 said:
"Bro, I know of doctors in this Lagos that are the only doctors in the private facilities. The burn out is real."
Source: Twitter
In related stories, a doctor helped a woman deliver her baby in a keke while another doctor shared his scam experience.
Another doctor dies after 72-hour duty
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that in 2023, tragedy struck the medical profession in Lagos as Dr Umoh Michael slumped and died in church.
Michael was said to have worked for 72 hours at a stretch in the Neurosurgery Unit at Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Following the tragic incident, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) called for a review of their working condition.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
