Overworked Resident Doctor, Femi Rotifa, Dies After 72 Hour Shift at RSUTH

Death on Duty: The Tragic Collapse of Dr. Femi Rotifa After 72-Hour Shift

In a heartbreaking incident that has reignited urgent calls for reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system, Dr. Oluwafemi Stephen Rotifa, a young and promising resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), collapsed and died after enduring a grueling 72-hour shift in the Emergency Room. 

The tragedy unfolded on a Monday morning in early September 2025, when Rotifa, reportedly battling malaria, retreated to the call room to rest and was later found unresponsive on the floor. Despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Dr. Rotifa, affectionately known as “Femoski” among colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association (PUMSA) and had completed registration with the UK’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad. His death has sent shockwaves through the medical community, with tributes pouring in from friends, colleagues, and professional bodies who described him as diligent, selfless, and deeply committed to his patients.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) condemned the incident as a preventable tragedy and a damning reflection of the systemic collapse within the country’s health sector. NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara revealed that Rotifa had been the only doctor on call, attending to patients continuously for three days. He emphasized that such extreme workloads are not uncommon, with some doctors reportedly spending entire months on call without relief.

Medical professionals have long warned of the dangers of burnout, understaffing, and poor welfare in Nigerian hospitals. The World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:600, yet Nigeria’s ratio remains an alarming 1:10,000. This imbalance forces remaining doctors to shoulder impossible workloads, often at the expense of their own health and the quality of care provided to patients.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also weighed in, calling the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” NMA Vice President Benjamin Olowojebutu lamented the loss of a young doctor in the prime of his career and urged the government to implement immediate reforms, including better staffing, improved remuneration, and enforcement of humane work schedules.

Dr. Rotifa’s death has become a rallying point for medical unions and advocacy groups demanding accountability and systemic change. His story is not just a personal tragedy, it is a stark reminder of the human cost of neglect in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. As tributes continue to flood social media, many are left asking how many more lives must be lost before meaningful action is taken.