The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for calm and appealed to the general public to allow proper investigation into the death of ex-Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate, Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Rico Swavey was involved in a car accident on October 11 and was rushed to Doren Specialist Hospital, Ajah but succumbed to injuries on October 13 at a different medical facility.
A yet-to-be-identified person recorded and posted on social media a 30-seconds video of Swavey on oxygen while health workers struggled to lift him. The short clip sparked outrage, condemnation and allegations against the healthcare workers and Doren Hospital.
The NMA disclosed that the association is working with the Lagos State Government and relevant agencies to investigate the unethical filming of the late ex-BBNaija housemate at Doren Specialist Hospital.
In a statement signed by Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Dr Ismail Ajibowo, the Chairman and Secretary of NMA Lagos Zone, on Monday in Lagos the association said it was aware of media reports about the incident surrounding the death of Swavey and the alleged involvement of Doren Specialist Hospital, Ajah.
“We want to appeal to the general public that we allow all statutory bodies that have the power to investigate the matter to conclude their findings and give a detailed report. Passing a guilty verdict on healthcare workers before the investigation is concluded will not do any good to anybody. We appeal for calm and let us allow the law to take its course,” the statement reads.
The NMA in the statement commiserated with the family of the deceased and his loved ones and pray for the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
Meanwhile, the management of Doren Specialist Hospital, in a statement distanced the involvement of its staff in the recording of Swavey’s video.
Also, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said that the state had commenced an investigation into the incident.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had also shown interest in the incident.