Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, Chairman of the Medical Guild, disclosed that the investigation into the demise of Dr Diaso Vwaere uncovered that an uncertified contractor was responsible for installing the malfunctioning elevator that resulted in her tragic death.
Dr Vwaere’s passing was linked to the elevator’s failure, which occurred during its unveiling in June 2021.
Speaking at a news conference to provide updates on the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Dr Vwaere’s death, Ahmad revealed that the contractor attributed the elevator’s malfunction to inadequate power supply from the hired generator during the event.
Regular maintenance was supposed to be performed every four weeks on the elevator for optimal performance, Ahmad noted, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
He asserted that the contractor, installers, and other individuals involved in the installation should be arrested and held accountable under the law if found guilty.
Ahmad also highlighted that infrastructural issues have plagued the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, since its rehabilitation in 2015-2016.
He appealed to the state government to address the problem by installing a new elevator through a certified installer and ensuring consistent maintenance.
To honour Dr Vwaere’s memory and support her family, Ahmad emphasized the need for her to be immortalized. The Medical Guild will continue to advocate for justice in the investigation.
Dr Vwaere, a medical house officer, lost her life due to injuries sustained when the elevator she was using crashed at the staff quarters of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos.
Her colleagues responded with a peaceful protest at the hospital, and the Nigerian Medical Association directed doctors in the government hospitals on Lagos Island to go on an indefinite strike in response to her tragic passing.
