The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Lagos State has released its findings on the elevator accident that killed a medical doctor, Vwaere Diaso, at the General Hospital, Lagos Island.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that Diaso sustained degrees of injuries and was confirmed dead after she was trapped in an elevator that fell from the 10th floor of the building to the ground.
Following the death of Diaso, the NMA inaugurated a panel to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the doctor, who was undertaking her housemanship at the hospital.
The 11-member panel comprises an independent committee of doctors, lawyers and engineers, chaired by Saheed Babajide.
In its report published on Wednesday, the panel said the elevator that caused the death of the doctor was not fit for use and should have been put to use to avoid endangering lives.
The report said the two lift systems in the building were not operating satisfactorily for a long time and that there was no verifiable maintenance structure or apparatus for the use of the lift installed at the facility.
It stated that professional excellence was not applied in the provision of the lift system in the building, adding that there was a delay in rescuing the deceased while the estimated time spent in the car after the accident was about an hour.
Following its findings, the panel recommended that qualified professionals should be engaged in carrying out designs, supervision, and installation of public assets.
The panel also recommended the investigation of all stakeholders and contractors involved and the prosecution of anyone found culpable. It also includes naming the house officers’ quarters at General Hospital Odan, Lagos Island, after the deceased to immortalize her.
The report read in parts: “Following the standards of Lagos State Safety Commission, we recommend that hospital assets be maintained and serviced by the hospital management to avoid needless bureaucracy, and such assets should be certified annually by competent professionals.
“Upon commissioning of assets or technical equipment, the operators of the equipment must be adequately trained and retrained on safety and proper operation and handling of emergencies.
“Routine safety drills should be conducted by safety officers for all staff.”