Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sacked the facility manager of the General Hospital, Odan for the unfortunate death of a young house officer, Dr Vwaere Diaso in a faulty elevator accident on the 1st of August 2023.
A statement by the Lagos State government on the 6th of August 2023 revealed that a panel of inquiry which comprises representatives of the Medical Guild and six representatives of House Officers was set up to look into the likely causes of the accident, identify persons who might be culpable, and suggest ways of preventing any future occurrence.
According to the findings of the panel, “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 orthopedic 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 anesthetists, including the Medical Director, who intubated the patient. Despite all the efforts, she stopped breathing around 8.13 pm and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) commenced. This went on until 8.59 pm 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 centers where blood is available. Besides, there is a register of voluntary donors who can be mobilized 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.”
Also, the General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA) was advised to proceed on a suspension while the operations and line of reporting of the facility managers have been restructured to involve the hospital management directly.
It also revealed that the installation and maintenance contractors have been handed over to the police for further investigation and will likely be prosecuted if they are found culpable.
The statement directed Engineers to unravel why all the safety devices of the elevator failed at the same time while the Safety Commission of the State has been directed to immediately carry out an audit of all elevators in public offices.
