It was an atmosphere of deep sorrow in Port Harcourt on Friday, September 5, 2025, as family, colleagues, and friends gathered to bid farewell to Dr. Oluwafemi Rotifa, the young doctor whose tragic passing has sparked nationwide outrage.

Dr. Rotifa, a 28-year-old resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), reportedly collapsed after working an exhausting 72-hour shift without rest. He was buried at the Port Harcourt cemetery, with loved ones struggling to hold back tears.

The late doctor, who once served as President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association (PUMSA), was remembered as a brilliant and compassionate young man who dedicated his life to saving others.

His untimely death has thrown Nigeria’s health sector into mourning, with many doctors and medical students expressing anger over the extreme working conditions faced by young medics in the country.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has since announced plans for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of his death, while also renewing calls for urgent reforms to protect doctors from overwork and burnout.

As the community paid their last respects, many described his passing as not just a personal tragedy, but a wake-up call on the need to prioritize the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.