25-Year-Old NYSC Doctor Dies After Alleged Delay in Approving Sick Leave Request (Details)

• The death of a 25-year-old medical doctor serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sparked outrage after reports claimed his request for a three-week sick leave was delayed before approval.

A 25-year-old medical doctor serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr. Wisdom Oghenetega Enakirerhi, has reportedly died after an alleged delay in the approval of his request for a three-week sick leave.

According to reports circulating online, Dr. Enakirerhi fell ill while serving at his place of primary assignment and sought permission to travel home for medical treatment and recovery.

The account of his death was shared by a fellow doctor, Dr. Akpoyibo, who alleged that the young physician’s request for sick leave was not approved promptly despite his deteriorating health.

Dr. Akpoyibo said Enakirerhi had spent years training to become a medical doctor before beginning his mandatory national service.

He further claimed that the deceased’s father and brother, who are also medical doctors, appealed for him to be allowed to return home for proper medical care after his condition worsened.

According to the account, approval for the three-week sick leave was eventually granted, but only shortly before the young doctor’s death.

The circumstances surrounding his illness, the reported delay in approving his leave and the events leading to his death have triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians demanding answers and questioning the welfare support available to corps members and young medical professionals.

Several doctors and members of the public have mourned Dr. Enakirerhi, describing him as a promising young physician whose life and career were tragically cut short.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) nor the institution where Enakirerhi served has issued an official statement confirming the allegations surrounding his sick leave request or the circumstances of his death.

The incident has reignited concerns over the working conditions of young doctors in Nigeria, including issues relating to workload, access to healthcare, welfare support and the treatment of early-career medical professionals.

Further details are expected as the NYSC, the hospital involved or the deceased’s family provide additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the young doctor’s death.