Nigerian octor ies after eing denied sick leave despite complaining of cough and chest pain

Nigerian doctor, Dr. Joe Madu, has reportedly lost his life after being denied sick leave.

The heartbreaking news, announced by his colleague Dr. Richard Chukwuezi, has raised concerns about the working conditions of healthcare professionals in the country.

Dr. Richard took to social media to share screenshots of their conversation, in which Dr. Joe complained of a severe cough and chest pain. In the chat, Dr. Madu revealed that he had requested sick leave but was denied.

Mourning his colleague, Dr. Richard wrote:

"Dr. Joe Madu, we’re all still in shock. Your country failed you, and the health system you sacrificed your life for failed you too. We know you’re now in a place of rest. So sad to say, but rest in power, bro.

You study under immense pressure for 7–10 years. You graduate into 24–48 hours of nonstop work in an environment filled with nosocomial infections. Then, when a doctor requests sick leave, it’s denied with a threat. But who will pay for the loss of a life that a family fought so hard to produce? What a loss!"