The administration of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, has refuted claims that Dr. Michael Umoh, one of its house officers, passed away following a 72-hour call.
This was said in a statement released on Thursday in Lagos by the LUTH management team.
Recall that Umoh, a medical professional working at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, was said to have passed away following a 72-hour marathon surgery at the neurosurgery unit.
Following the tragedy, the Association of Resident Doctors expressed their profound sorrow over the passing of their colleague in a protest letter headed “An Appeal By The House Officers Of LUTH,” addressed to the chief medical director.
The doctors also charged their senior coworkers with harassing and failing to feed and accommodate them well.
The LUTH management asserted that, despite the fact that it recognized the departed family’s need to grieve and their wish to forbid any media interaction with their son, it is crucial to explain the circumstances of his passing.
The management of LUTH reported that “Dr. Umoh passed away on September 17 while attending church with his parents. After being reported to management, one of the consultants in his area (neurosurgery) later confirmed the death.
Although Dr. Umoh’s passing was unfortunate, according to LUTH, the story of a nonstop 72-hour shift is untrue.
“The record from the Neurosurgery unit shows that the last time he was on call was 13th and September 14, 2023.
“He was not on call on the 15th, 16th and 17th (the day he died), contrary to the insinuations on social media. He was at home with his parents on September 16 and September 17. Before this time, the management said he was on call on September 7 and September 8. “This shows that Dr. Umoh was on call for four days in September 2023,” LUTH said.