A formal query reportedly issued to the late Dr. Wisdom Oghenetega Enakirerhi, has heightened public scrutiny over the circumstances leading to his death.
A 25-year-old young National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) doctor serving at the Military Hospital in Port Harcourt,
The document, which has been widely circulated on social media, questioned the young doctor’s for absence from a Tuesday evening games session. While directing him to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
The query, signed by a military officer, reads:
“Explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for absenting yourself from Tuesday’s evening games.”
According to Dr. Enakirerhi’s handwritten response, he stated that he was medically unfit to participate in the exercise. He explained that he had been experiencing persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, palpitations, high fever and other symptoms. Adding that engaging in strenuous physical activity could have further endangered his health.
The emergence of the document has since fueled debate online, with many Nigerians questioning earlier claims that the late doctor failed to take his health seriously. Critics argue that the query suggests he was already communicating his deteriorating condition while navigating administrative procedures.
One X user tweeted:
“Medzone, I dont care if a General is querying me. If my health becomes bad any day, I’m stepping down from work to seek for proper care. Let’s stop acting like he was on gun point. Yea the system is bad but let’s not enable it”
@Medic_solomon stressed:
“The rules and regulations need to be redressed, while prioritising patients health and the hospital act,
The health care providers are also a priority and not minority, down to the sanitation staff their health matters.”
While the query has become a main point of public discussion, the full circumstances surrounding Dr. Enakirerhi’s illness, requests for medical leave and eventual death remain the subject of public interest.
As of the time of this report, the Primary Place of Assignment (PPA) had not issued an official report on the circumstances surrounding his death. Consequently, no official investigation has concluded that the disciplinary process or any administrative action directly caused his death.
The incident has renewed conversations about workplace policies, access to timely medical care. While highlighting the need to prioritize the health and well-being of healthcare workers, particularly those serving under structured institutions.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
