The medical profession in Nigeria has been mourning over the tragic passing of Dr. Oluwafemi Rotifa, a dedicated resident doctor aged 28 who worked at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and whose life was abruptly ended after he suffered a collapse following what was described by colleagues as a demanding 72-hour shift that did not provide enough rest. On the 5th of September 2025, his body was laid to rest in Port Harcourt Cemetery. Port Harcourt cemetery, drawing relatives, friends, and healthcare professionals from across the country to pay their last tributes amid a flurry of sadness and pleas for change in the working environment for medical personnel.
Dr. Rotifa, remembered for his work during his time as the president of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, was doing his best to complete demanding work when the tragedy took place last week, which highlighted the extreme pressures facing doctors in the early stages of their careers. His death has caused numerous concerns and discussions in the health industry, leading officials from the Nigerian Medical Association to initiate plans for an autopsy to identify the exact causes of the collapse and death of Dr. Rotifa and to prevent similar incidents in the future. This incident serves as a stark warning of the human cost caused by overwork in crucial services and calls on people to consider the well-being of the people who are on the frontlines of care for patients.
