BENIN CITY, Nigeria — A couple in Edo State, Mr. and Mrs. Praise Mumbor, has petitioned the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, alleging that their 19-month-old son, Jeremiah, contracted the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) following blood transfusions at a private hospital in Benin City.
The child, born HIV-negative according to the parents and initial hospital records, reportedly began showing signs of illness earlier this year.
The family claims the infant tested positive for HIV after receiving two separate blood transfusions at Safe Bliss Medical Centre.
In an interview with The Nation, Mr. Mumbor said their ordeal began on Thursday, February 6, 2025, when baby Jeremiah developed a high fever and was taken to the private facility.
Doctors found his Packed Cell Volume (PCV) had dropped to a critical 15 and recommended urgent transfusion.
“I paid N40,000 for blood, and they gave him two transfusions. After two days, he was discharged,” Mumbor recounted.
He said the baby fell ill again on Monday, May 5, 2025, and was readmitted to the same hospital, where a second transfusion was administered after he paid another N35,000.
“I told them I wanted to donate blood for my baby, but the doctor refused, saying the lab staff had closed for the day,” he added.
Concerned about the child’s repeated illnesses, the couple sought further medical care at the Edo Specialist Hospital, where comprehensive testing revealed that while Jeremiah was AS genotype and not SS as previously suspected, he had tested HIV positive.
“We were devastated,” Mr. Mumbor said.
“My wife and I were both tested for HIV. The results came back negative. So how did our son get infected?”
A medical practitioner at the state hospital, speaking anonymously, confirmed to reporters that the couple had tested negative and suggested that the transfused blood may be the likely source of the infection.
“We had to run thorough screening on the couple. Results confirmed they are HIV negative. So, the possible explanation is the transfused blood,” the source said.
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of Safe Bliss Medical Centre maintained that standard procedures were followed before both transfusions.
“The child tested negative for HIV in our facility before the blood transfusions. We are currently conducting an independent investigation into the matter,” he said.
He also denied claims that the father was prevented from donating blood, adding that no clinical guidelines were breached during treatment.
The Mumbors, now seeking legal redress, have petitioned Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, demanding accountability from the medical facility.
The petition alleges gross medical negligence and seeks urgent intervention.
“The incident has left us in emotional trauma,” the petition reads.
“Our son is just 19 months old and now faces a lifetime struggle with a virus he could only have contracted through clinical malpractice.”
Officials at the Ministry of Justice have yet to respond publicly to the petition.