By Erewunmi Peace

Three days after the shocking death of Dr. Oluwafemi “Femi” Rotifa, a young resident doctor at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), the institution has yet to issue any official statement, sparking outrage within the medical community and among Nigerians online.

Rotifa, who had reportedly been on a 72-hour call duty, collapsed in the hospital’s call room on Saturday and could not be revived despite efforts by colleagues. His death has drawn widespread attention to the extreme working conditions faced by doctors in Nigeria’s public hospitals.

Colleagues claim Dr. Rotifa had earlier requested rest but was denied, leaving him to push through the exhausting shifts that ultimately proved fatal.

“He asked to be allowed some rest but was told to continue. He eventually slumped after being awake for three days. This is not just a personal tragedy, it is a systemic failure,” one colleague told the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Despite the growing public outcry, RSUTH has not released any official comment or condolence. When contacted by FIJ, the hospital’s email auto-response only stated: “Your mail will be replied to as soon as possible.”

Tributes Pour In

Dr. Rotifa, who previously served as president of the PUMSA Alumni Association, has been remembered by colleagues and students as a bright, dedicated doctor passionate about saving lives.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) are expected to issue statements in the coming days, with many already calling for urgent reforms to reduce burnout and overwork in the health sector.

Systemic Crisis in Nigerian Healthcare

Rotifa’s passing has reignited discussions about the worsening brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector, where thousands of doctors leave annually for better working conditions abroad.

Healthcare analysts argue that without urgent intervention to improve welfare, staffing, and hospital structures, more tragedies like this may occur.