The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the death of Dr Michael Umoh, a medical personnel at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) who lost his life recently while on duty.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Investigate the Untimely Death of Medical Personnel on Duty”, moved by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola at the Plenary season presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon Benjamin Kalu
The House said that this became necessary in order to ensure that medical personnel in Nigeria work under favourable conditions.
The House mandated its Committees on Health Institutions, Labour and Employment to conduct the investigations and to report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
While moving the motion, the Lawmaker said that” the House ” Notes the importance of medical personnel as the fulcrum of the healthcare delivery system;
” Aware that on September 17, 2023, a medical officer on a residency programme in the Lagos University
Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Michael Umoh reportedly died after spending 72 hours on duty in the Neurosurgery unit of the Institution;
” Also aware of a recent related incident of a young female medical doctor who lost her life due to elevator failure in a general Hospital, which could have been avoided with improved working
conditions;
” Concerned that there have been several other reports of medical personnel dying as a result of harsh
working conditions and other forms of negligence, thus robbing th”e country of her best brains;
” Cognizant that such similar cases have reinforced the agitation of National Association of Resident Doctors, Nigeria Medical Association and other associated bodies for improved conditions of service as evidenced by the recent industrial strike embarked upon by Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to press home their demand.’
When the motion was put into voice vote, it was unanimously supported by other members and a minute silence was observed in honour of the deceased.
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