Tragic Death of Young Doctor Sparks Outrage Over Work Conditions in Nigeria’s Hospitals

Tragic Death of Young Doctor Sparks Outrage Over Work Conditions in Nigeria’s Hospitals

The death of Dr. Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young surgery resident at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), has ignited fresh debate about the toll of overwork and understaffing in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Dr. Rotifa, fondly called “Femoski” by colleagues, reportedly collapsed on September 1 after completing an exhausting 72-hour emergency room shift. Despite being rushed to the hospital’s intensive care unit, efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Colleagues said the 29-year-old had earlier complained of feeling unwell and requested time off, but the plea was denied. He is remembered as a former president of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association (PUMSA) and had recently passed the UK’s PLAB 2 examination, securing registration with the General Medical Council while awaiting placement abroad.

Eyewitness accounts suggest Dr. Rotifa had been left to manage patients almost single-handedly due to severe understaffing. Preliminary reports cite exhaustion, potentially worsened by an underlying condition such as malaria, though an official autopsy has not been released.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) confirmed his passing, with Rivers State Vice President Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu calling the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” He emphasized the strain on doctors who endure long shifts without adequate pay, health insurance, or regulated working hours.

Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Tope Osundara, described the tragedy as preventable, warning that burnout has become a hallmark of Nigeria’s collapsing health system. He highlighted the country’s doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:10,000, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1:600.

Not an Isolated Case

The incident recalled the 2023 death of Dr. Umoh Michael, who also collapsed after a 72-hour shift at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Despite widespread calls then for reform, little progress has been made, doctors say.

Following Dr. Rotifa’s death, social media has been flooded with tributes and testimonies from medical professionals sharing personal stories of exhaustion and neglect. One post read: “No job, no system, no title is worth your life. Put yourself first, because the system won’t.”

Calls for Reform Grow Louder

Advocacy groups, including Equicare Strategies, are urging government action to address chronic understaffing and inhumane working conditions. Stakeholders have also called for a comprehensive review of residency training structures, alongside improved welfare packages for medical staff.

For many, Dr. Rotifa’s death is not only a personal loss but a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the health of those entrusted with saving lives.

How many more doctors must be lost before meaningful reform is implemented?