LASG states own story of doctor’s elevator death
Lagos state government staved off the accusation of being negligent in the maintaining of an hospital lift, causing the death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso last week.
The incident happened at the house officers’ quarters of the General Hospital, Odan.
Diaso’s colleagues, under the aegis of the Medical Association of Nigeria ( NMA), declared a strike action to protest her death.
But, in its statement issued on Sunday, the government explained that the health workers quarters, where Diaso had the fatal accident, was being managed by a facility management company that was hired by the Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA).
The government said a penal it set up to probe the incident, and having as part of its members some of the doctor’s colleagues and the Medical Guild, had turned out its report of how the incident happened.
The LASG said, “According to its findings, the incident happened around 6.50 pm. Due to the impact, the elevator doors were damaged and needed to be forced open to rescue the trapped house officer. She was extracted at about 7.50 pm and resuscitation commenced immediately.
“She was wheeled to the emergency room and was immediately attended to by a medical team led by a highly experienced consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. The team was assisted by all house officers who were present at the time. The initial objectives were to ensure a clear airway, maintain breathing, and establish circulation.
“The team was also joined by two consultant anaesthetists, including the Medical Director, who intubated the patient. Despite all the efforts, she stopped breathing around 8.13pm and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) commenced. This went on until 8.59pm when she was pronounced dead.
“It is important to state that blood samples for cross-matching had not been taken and there had not been a request for blood at the time CPR commenced; it is not true that blood was not available. The State has a strong network of screening centres where blood is available. Besides, there is a register of voluntary donors who can be mobilised at very short notice.
“It is also important to state that the elevator that crashed was installed brand new in 2021. Elevator experts working with the Lagos Safety Commission have carried out an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should prevent this kind of accident did not work. Their findings will determine if we have a case with the elevator installer.”
The government added it has ” sacked and blacklisted the facility nanagers”, and it has equally suspended the general manager or the LASIAMA. In addition, the government facility managers would now begin to report relevant authorities including “the hospital management directly.”
“We have handed the installation and maintenance contractors to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution if they are found culpable. The police will also investigate anyone else that might have been found to be negligent” the government said.
The government stated that its workers are insured and that it already contacted its insurers as regards Diaso’s death.
