Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) collapsed and died after a gruelling 72-hour call duty.

Ohibaba.com reliably gathered that the deceased doctor, fondly called Femoski by colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, PUMSA, and was registered with the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, who confirmed Rotifa’s death, said that the deceased doctor had been on continuous call duty for three days in the Emergency Room before he retreated to the call room to rest.

It was there that he slumped and later died, despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit.

“What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. It was a death on duty,” Osundara lamented.

Last week, one of the twin sons of my deceased brother, collapsed at work and died.

The incident happened in Abuja. Immediately, I was contacted with the sad news, I inquired if he was sick.

Her sister replied “No”

Did he go to work on an empty tummy or take medication on an empty tummy?

Again, the response was, “No “Did he have high blood pressure? “No,” was the answer.

Hmmm…

Similarly, the FCT Head of Service, Mrs Grace Adayilo, died in the same manner.

Media reports said that Mrs Adayilo slumped and passed out early this morning, September 1.

The report said that Mrs Adayilo, an indigene of Abuja and incidentally, the first female ever to occupy the position in the FCT Administration, attended a church service on Sunday and even donated to the congregation.

These cases among millions got me wondering: Why do people collapse and die?

Checks by Ohibaba.com, show that there are various reasons why people may collapse and die suddenly.

According to Meta AI, some common causes include:

Medical Conditions

1. Heart conditions: Heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, or other cardiovascular conditions can cause sudden collapse and death.

2. Stroke or brain aneurysm: A stroke or brain aneurysm can cause sudden loss of consciousness and death.

3. Seizures or epilepsy: Severe seizures or epilepsy can lead to loss of consciousness and, in rare cases, death.

External Factors

1. Trauma or injury: Severe head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or other serious injuries can cause collapse and death.

2. Heatstroke or dehydration: Extreme heat or dehydration can lead to collapse and, if untreated, death.

3. Electrocution: Electrical shock can cause cardiac arrest and death.

Other Causes

1. Sudden cardiac arrest: Unexpected cardiac arrest can occur without warning, often due to underlying heart conditions.

2. Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic reactions can cause rapid collapse and, if untreated, death.

3. Poisoning or overdose: Ingestion of toxic substances or overdose of medications can lead to collapse and death.

It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention if someone collapses suddenly. Prompt medical care can help identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.

US health authorities have suspended the license for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of “serious adverse events”, the drug’s French maker said Monday.

Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered to countries worldwide.

French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023, but reports of side effects have prompted reviews in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year.

“The suspension of the license is effective immediately,” Valneva said of the FDA order issued Friday, citing four additional cases of serious side effects, three of which involved people aged 70 to 82.

“As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of chikungunya continues to escalate globally, Valneva remains fully committed to maintaining access to our vaccine as a global health tool,” chief executive Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement.

Public health experts say chikungunya could be a potential future pandemic threat as climate change pushes the mosquitoes that spread it into new regions.

The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus, with high fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and varies in duration.

Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though there is an increased risk of death for babies and the elderly.

In July, the World Health Organization warned of the risks of a major chikungunya epidemic, calling for urgent action.

The agency said it was picking up the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago, which swept across the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.

So far this year, Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks, a new record for the continent, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said this month.

AFP