BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
A young couple has been thrown into grief after their 19-month-old son reportedly tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) following a blood transfusion at a private hospital in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The family ordeal started when the infant, identified as Mumbor Jeremiah, was admitted to the facility after suffering a high fever which the doctor on duty claimed had made his Packed Cell Volume (PCV) to drop to a critical level of 15 and recommended a blood transfusion as part of emergency treatment.
But the treatment did not end the couple’s nightmare, months later, the child fell ill again and was rushed to the same hospital where he was readmitted and made to undergo another round of blood transfusion.
However, when baby Jeremiah’s condition failed to improve the hospital advised his parents to take him to a government-owned hospital.
Mr. Praise Mumbor went to Edo Specialist Hospital where after routine medical checks and multiple screenings across different accredited laboratories, the young couple received the devastating news that baby Jeremiah had tested positive for HIV.
It was learnt that the tragic finding triggered laboratory investigations which revealed that the baby’s parents are HIV negative.
Further probe into the infant’s medical history given by his parents indicated the blood transfusions conducted at the now embattled hospital.
“We had to run thorough screening on the couple, results confirmed they are HIV negative. So, the possible explanation is the transfused blood”, a doctor hinted.
The distraught father of the 19-month-old baby Mr. Praise Mumbor, 23 is accusing Safe Bliss Medical Centre of gross medical negligence and demanding justice for their only child who has been left with a lifelong condition.
“My baby Jeremiah will mark his two years birthday in September 28 this year. He is our first child; I am sad and pained what has happened to him. My wife and I don’t have HIV, how come he is now a carrier of HIV?
“On February 6, 2025, my baby was sick, we took him to Safe Bliss Medical Centre where he was admitted. The doctor said my baby blood was very low and that we should buy blood (N40,000.00) for him otherwise his veins would collapse. I paid and they gave him the blood two times, after two days he was discharged from the hospital.
“Again, on May 5, 2025, my baby was sick, we rushed him to the same Safe Bliss Medical Centre, the doctor also said my baby needed blood, I said I don’t have money and that I will donate blood for my baby. The doctor said no because the lab staff to screen my blood before the transfusion has closed. I contacted my people, they sent me money, so I paid (N35,000.00) for the blood because I don’t want my baby to die, he was transfused, three days later, he was discharged”, Mr. Praise Mumbor narrated.
He said further that on May 19, 2025, the owner of Safe Bliss Medical Centre advised him to take his baby to another hospital for further treatment, that prompted him to approach Edo Specialist Hospital, Sapele Road, Benin City.
“In Edo Specialist Hospital, they collected our blood samples, did many tests and we were later told that my baby is not SS but AS and he is HIV-positive”, the baby’s father explained.
A lady who identified herself as a nurse in the hospital could not speak on the incident when our reporter visited Safe Bliss Medical Centre on 32, Ist Akugbe Lane, off Siluko Road, Oliha Quarters, Benin City, Wednesday.
However, a few hours later, a caller who identified himself as Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of Safe Bliss Medical Centre said all clinical procedures needed for blood transfusion were painstakingly observed before the transfusions were performed on the baby.
Dr. Adesotu further explained that the child tested negative for HIV in the facility before the blood transfusions as Safe Bliss Medical Centre gets its blood from a blood bank.
He however disputed the claim by Mr. Praise Mumbor that he was not allowed to donate blood to his son by a doctor on duty in the facility.
Dr. Adesotu however said that an independent investigation into this incident was underway.
Meanwhile, possible civil and criminal consequences await Safe Bliss Medical Centre of a case of negligence.
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