Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Counter-allegation by authorities of Safe Bliss Medical Centre, Benin, accused of transfusing a 19-month-old child with HIV-tainted blood that the baby may have been infected during a process of traditional scarification has been faulted by Edo State Government.
During government’s investigation into its practice which borders on alleged medical malpractice, the hospital alleged that the baby had scarification marks which it suspected could be the source of the infection, rather than the transfused blood.
The facility was further alleged to have insisted, without presenting documentary evidence that the blood donors were HIV-negative, thereby absolving itself of medical negligence.
It was also scoped that Safe Bliss Medical Centre maintained that traditional cuts, often carried out with unsterilized instruments, could serve as a route of HIV transmission.
The Edo State Ministry of Health had recently expanded its investigation into the source of HIV infection in the 19-month-old baby, extending the probe beyond laboratory tests to traditional medicine doorsteps, following the counter allegation by the medical facility originally accused of giving the baby HIV-tainted blood.
Checks by Alltimepost.com correspondent revealed that medical personnel in the office of the Commissioner for Health, Benin City, last week examined the child for possible traditional cuts, alleged to be a potential source of the infection.
The review came a few days after a fresh screening at the Military Base Hospital Benin, confirmed the child as HIV-positive while both parents tested negative.
However, on Friday, August 15, 2025, investigators at the Health Ministry reportedly found no traditional marks on the baby, a development said to have angered the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who described the hospital’s claims as a blatant lie against the innocent baby, unprofessional and misleading.
The baby’s father, Mr. Murbor Praise, confirmed that his family was directed to undergo another HIV test at the Military Base Hospital Benin, which reconfirmed earlier results. He added that the Commissioner’s office later conducted a physical check on his child.
“I have not taken my baby for traditional or tribal marks. The female doctor at the Commissioner’s office examined him and found no cut, she even took photographs of my baby’s body. I thank the Commissioner and his team for the roles they have played so far,” Mr. Murbor told our correspondent.
Last Monday, our correspondent observed Mr. Murbor and his family in a closed-door meeting with Dr. Oshiomhole and the management of Safe Bliss Medical Centre. The outcome was not disclosed at press time.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner disclosed that preliminary findings showed that Safe Bliss Medical Centre was operating without a license. The facility, located at 32, 1st Akugbe Lane, Off Siluko Road, Oliha Quarters, Benin, was shut down in June to allow smooth investigations.
Contacted, the hospital said it would comment on the incident later.
However, Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of the facility earlier maintained that all clinical protocols for transfusion were observed, stressing that the hospital sourced blood from a licensed blood bank. He also said the baby tested HIV-negative in their facility before transfusion.
Recounting his ordeal, Mr. Murbor had earlier said, “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 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”.
