…Discreet investigation said to be ongoing with autopsy allegedly done
The young medical doctor who allegedly slumped and died on Monday, September 1, 2025, from exhaustion after working for 72-hour marathon, has been buried at the Port Harcourt Cemetery Friday at about 11am.
Stephen Oluwafemu Rotifa died at noon at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) former the prestigious and highly sought-after Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH) on the fateful day in circumstances that have sparked rows and public outcry.
At the cemetery, the crowd appeared scanty and the family, except his elder brother, was absent. The 28-year-old resident doctor was unmarried but was said to be expecting to move abroad in coming weeks before the Uniport medical graduate was believed to be registered with the United Kingdom General Medical Council.
Reports said he had nobody to relieve him after 72 hours of steady job on duty even when he allegedly complained of excessive tiredness. He was said to have moved to the call room to catch his breath but never made it. Reports added that he was ordered by his superior to keep on working because there was nobody to replace him.
When our Correspondent and some newsmen rushed to the cemetery late morning, they found that the interment was brief. His parents were not there, and his elder brother, Kayode, who declined comments but only said the family would issue a position. His father is said to be an engineer and mother a doctor.
It was gathered that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) ordered for autopsy. This is believed to be why the family was not ready to issue any statement at this moment. It was also understood that in the part of the country he hailed from, parents do not want to be part of the burial of their children.
Sources have hinted at why junior doctors work to the skin, said it is not for
staff shortage but deployments of connected doctors. For instance, 23 doctors could be appointed medical officers of health, and more than 10 doctors are on the Rivers State Hospital management board; about another 15 doctors are at the Primary Healthcare Management Board; more than 10 at the Ministry of Health.
A source said: “It’s obvious that almost half of the doctors left clinical services for administrative duties. All of them might be collecting ‘Call Duty Allowance’ but don’t take calls. It is not a shortage but bad policy wanting to be everywhere at every time.”
A biography made available to newsmen showed that his family hailed from Bacita in Kwara State and relocated to Port Harcourt in 1997.
He was said to be academically brilliant and was made senior prefect in his senior secondary school year three. He was indicated as a never say die person who never believed as impossible.
Many said at the tribute session at the Teaching Hospital that it was a pity that the only moment he admitted weakness, he was not assisted but left to die.
