The Lagos State Chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has mourned the tragic loss of Dr. Umoh Michael, a dedicated medical professional who lost his life on Sunday, September 17th, 2023, after reportedly working 72-hour marathon shift without respite at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, where he worked as a resident doctor.
According to the party, the tragic incident once again sheds light on the deplorable state of the healthcare sector in the country and the urgent need for adequate funding and comprehensive pro-workers reforms.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Umoh Michael’s family and loved ones. His death is not only a personal tragedy but a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare workers in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
“Dr. Umoh Michael’s untimely demise is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern that has emerged recently. Just less than two months ago on August 1, Dr. Vwaere Diaso, a young and promising medical doctor tragically lost her life in an elevator crash at Lagos Island General Hospital.
“These incidents are not isolated. They are indicative of a larger problem within Nigeria healthcare sector. As a result of poor funding of public healthcare at all levels the working conditions of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals leave much to be desired.
“The Lagos State Chapter of SPN calls on the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, federal government led by President Bola Tinubu and other state governments to invest massively in the healthcare sector. It is no longer acceptable to pay mere lip service to the plight of healthcare workers and healthcare of Nigerians. We also call for democratic management of public hospitals to involve committees of elected representatives of different categories of health workers in every decision making process including the management of finance.
“We call on the organized labor centers, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to take the matter of recurrent deaths of medical doctors seriously. We urge them to collaborate with the Medical Association of Nigeria (MAN) and consider a 24-hour warning strike as a first step to demand better working conditions, improved living standards for healthcare workers and for public-funded free and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
“The Lagos State Chapter of SPN remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of healthcare workers and the right of Nigerians to quality and healthcare services,” the party concluded via a press statement so signed by Rufus Olusesan and Moshood Oshunfurewa Adebola, Chairman and Secretary respectively of the party in Lagos.
