A tragic incident at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital has left the medical community in shock, after a resident doctor, Dr. Oluwafemi Rotifa, reportedly died following a 72-hour continuous shift in the hospital’s emergency unit.
Known affectionately as Femoski by colleagues, Rotifa collapsed shortly after retreating to the call room for rest, following three consecutive days on duty. He was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Rotifa, a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, had recently been registered with the UK General Medical Council, preparing for relocation abroad.
The news of his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media, with colleagues remembering him as a dedicated, compassionate doctor whose life was tragically cut short while serving a system in desperate need of reform.
Dr. Tope Osundara, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), described the death as “preventable”, attributing it to the overstretched health system and chronic manpower shortages.
“He was the only doctor on duty in the emergency room and had been on call for 72 hours. Exhaustion and overwork killed him. This was a death on duty,” Osundara said.
He further criticized government authorities for ignoring repeated warnings from healthcare professionals and called for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
“Doctors are burned out, hospitals are understaffed, and the few remaining are overworked, underpaid, and demotivated. If immediate action is not taken, more young doctors will continue to die,” he added.
Osundara also urged the Federal Government to compensate the family of the late doctor and implement policies ensuring doctors are not forced to work beyond humane limits.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also condemned the incident, calling it “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” NMA Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu highlighted the immense pressure on remaining medical staff and stressed the need for a comprehensive overhaul of healthcare workers’ welfare, including salaries, allowances, regulated working hours, and health insurance.
“It is deeply troubling that doctors are dying in their prime due to excessive workload. Their welfare must become a national priority,” Olowojebutu said.
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