Following the death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso, the Lagos State government has ordered that the General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency to immediately proceed on suspension.
It also sacked and blacklisted the Facility Managers of the elevator that was responsible for the death of the medical doctor.
The decision followed recommendation of a panel of enquiry set up the government to look into the likely causes, identify persons who might be culpable and suggest ways of preventing any future occurrence.
The government in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olumide Sogunle, said the contractors have been handed over to the police.
“We have handed the installation and maintenance contractors to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution if they are found culpable. The police will also investigate anyone else that might have been found to be negligent,” the statement added.
Sogunle also said engineers were working to unravel why all the safety devices of the elevator failed at the same time
“All our staff are fully insured. We have informed our life insurance providers about this incident. The Lagos Safety Commission has been directed to immediately carry out an audit of all elevators in public offices. This is besides the usual safety arrangements that have always existed,” the statement added.
While acknowledging with deep regret the unfortunate elevator accident of Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the House Officer’s residence of the General Hospital, Odan, which resulted in the death of Diaso, a vibrant young house officer was an accident, adding that the government, “commiserates with her family and her colleagues and pray for the repose of her soul. As a government, we feel the pain of this irreparable loss. May The Almighty console them and give them the strength to go through this difficult time.”
Sogunle said according its 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 orthopaedic 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 anaesthetists, including the Medical Director, who intubated the patient. Despite all the efforts, she stopped breathing around 8.13pm and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) commenced.
“This went on until 8.59pm 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 centres where blood is available. Besides, there is a register of voluntary donors who can be mobilised 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.”
Segun James
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