Focus Egbema Group Urges Edo State Police to Investigate Hospital Over Alleged HIV Infection of Toddler Through Contaminated Blood Transfusion,

Focus Egbema Group Urges Edo State Police to Investigate Hospital Over Alleged HIV Infection of Toddler Through Contaminated Blood Transfusion

By EgbemaVoice,

The Focus Egbema Group has called on the Edo State Commissioner of Police to launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged transmission of HIV to a toddler through a contaminated blood transfusion at a private hospital in Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Mingo Sayami Ogumaka, who is also the elder brother of the bereaved father, Mr. Praise Mumbor, identified Safe Bliss Medical Centre, located opposite Oliha Primary School on Siluko Road, as the hospital responsible for the incident.

According to Mr. Mumbor, his one-year-nine-month-old son, Jeremiah, who was previously healthy and HIV-negative, suddenly fell critically ill on February 6, 2025. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with dangerously low blood levels and recommended an emergency transfusion.

I offered to donate my blood, but they told me there was no one available to run the required tests,” Mumbor recounted. “They insisted on sourcing blood from a blood bank. I paid ₦40,000 for the transfusion.”

Following two rounds of transfusion, Jeremiah was discharged. However, on May 5, 2025, he fell ill again. When taken back to Safe Bliss Medical Centre, doctors claimed he had sickle cell anaemia and needed yet another transfusion. Despite the treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate.

The hospital eventually referred the child to Edo Specialist Hospital, where doctors conducted further tests and shockingly diagnosed him with HIV. Alarmed by the diagnosis, the parents sought a second opinion at Central Hospital, which confirmed the results and revealed that both parents were HIV-negative.

When we explained that the child had undergone blood transfusions at Safe Bliss, it became obvious where the infection came from,” Mumbor said.

He reported the matter to the Ministry of Justice, which instructed him to first notify the hospital. After submitting a formal complaint, the Ministry invited the hospital owner for a meeting. She allegedly ignored two invitations and only appeared after the third, accompanied by a lawyer and several supporters.

Despite the gravity of the case, the Ministry of Health reportedly failed to follow up with the family, only reaching out weeks later for a private meeting—informing them that the hospital owner was no longer cooperating.

Mumbor then consulted a lawyer, who advised that he involve the police and retrieve his son’s medical records. A formal police report was filed, and the hospital owner was summoned for questioning. She again arrived with legal representation, along with the lab official who reportedly provided the blood used in the transfusion.

All I want is justice,” Mumbor said. “My son is not even two years old. He will carry this virus for life because of their negligence.”

Repeated attempts to reach Safe Bliss Medical Centre for comment have been unsuccessful.

Comrade Mingo, expressing deep concern, said, Since the inception of this case, I have made efforts to reach the hospital, but all have been in vain. I am therefore calling on the Commissioner of Police, the Edo State Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies to act swiftly and investigate this disturbing matter involving an innocent child.”

He also emphasized the need for laboratory analysis that could determine the exact timeline of the HIV infection, and demanded that the hospital release full documentation of the child's medical history, including admission records, treatment details, and laboratory reports, particularly those preceding the referral to Edo Specialist Hospital.

“The private hospital delayed the release of crucial medical reports after the family had paid for services,” he added. “And during investigations, instead of cooperating, the hospital mobilized legal and external influence to obstruct the truth.”

In conclusion, Comrade Mingo appealed to the Edo State Commissioner of Police to urgently investigate the matter and ensure justice is served in the interest of the child, the family, and humanity.

“This is about justice, accountability, and the life of a child. We urge authorities to act without bias so that justice prevails in the eyes of God and all well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

READS FULL STATEMENT,..........

PETITION FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED INFECTION OF A TODDLER WITH HIV THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD TRANSFUSION AT SAFE BLISS MEDICAL CENTRE, BENIN CITY.

The Focus Egbema Group has called on the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Health, and relevant regulatory bodies to launch a full investigation into a deeply troubling case involving the alleged transmission of HIV to a toddler through a contaminated blood transfusion at Safe Bliss Medical Centre in Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Mingo Sayami Ogumaka, elder brother to the child's father, Mr. Praise Mumbor, recounted how one-year-nine-month-old Jeremiah—a previously healthy and HIV-negative child—was allegedly infected after receiving a blood transfusion at the said hospital.

Incident Summary,

Mr. Mumbor explained that his son was critically ill on February 6, 2025, and was rushed to Safe Bliss Medical Centre. Doctors there diagnosed low blood volume and recommended an emergency blood transfusion. Despite offering to donate his own blood, Mumbor was told the facility could not conduct the necessary screening and insisted on blood from an external source. He paid ₦40,000 for the procedure.

The child was discharged after the transfusion but returned to the hospital on May 5, 2025, with further complications. The hospital again recommended a transfusion. When his condition worsened, the child was referred to Edo Specialist Hospital, where a test revealed he had contracted HIV. Follow-up tests at Central Hospital confirmed the diagnosis and also confirmed both parents were HIV-negative.

In light of the allegations, the Focus Egbema Group is relying on the following Nigerian laws and provisions to call for immediate investigation and justice:

1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)

Section 33(1): “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life...”

Interpretation: By allegedly transfusing contaminated blood into a child, the hospital may have endangered the child’s right to life through gross negligence.

Section 17(3)(c): “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.”

This places a duty on health institutions to provide safe, quality care without harm.

2. Child Rights Act, 2003

Section 11: “Every child is entitled to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment.”

Section 13: “Every child has the right to health services for treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.”

Section 14(2): “Every child has the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health.”

These sections protect Jeremiah’s right to safe medical care and impose liability for any hospital that violates these protections through negligence.

3. National Blood Service Commission Act, 2021

Section 19(1): “A person shall not collect blood for transfusion unless such blood has been properly tested and screened.”

Section 19(2): “Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding ₦500,000 or both.”

If the hospital failed to screen the transfused blood, it is a criminal offense under Nigerian law.

4. Criminal Code Act (Cap C38 LFN 2004)

Section 343: “Anyone who unlawfully or negligently causes harm to the life or health of another by doing an act, or by omitting to observe a duty, is guilty of an offense.”

Section 303: Medical professionals have a legal duty of care toward their patients.

These sections support holding the medical facility and its staff accountable for medical negligence.

5. National Health Act, 2014

Section 23(1): “A health care provider shall inform a user of the health services about the user's health status except in circumstances where there is substantial evidence that the disclosure of the user's health status would be contrary to the best interests of the user.”

Section 23(2): “A health care provider shall maintain confidentiality concerning the user's health status, treatment or stay in a health establishment.”

Section 48: “A person may not remove blood or any tissue from the body of another living person for transplantation in another living person unless he or she does so with appropriate consent and screening.”

Comrade Mingo condemned the delay in providing medical records to the family and the alleged lack of cooperation from the hospital during official investigations.

The private hospital delayed giving the father his child’s medical records, even after full payment. Instead of cooperating with the authorities, they relied on legal connections and outside influence to shield the truth. This is unacceptable,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of laboratory analysis to determine the timeline of the infection and demanded a thorough review of all medical records from Safe Bliss Medical Centre, as well as transparency from all parties involved.

Public Call to Authorities

Comrade Mingo urged, The Edo State Commissioner of Police to continue the investigation and ensure accountability.

The Edo State Ministry of Health to audit Safe Bliss Medical Centre and verify its compliance with blood transfusion regulations.

Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) to evaluate the source and handling of the transfused blood.

Conclusion, This is a matter of public health and child protection. We appeal to the conscience of the authorities: let justice prevail for this innocent child,” Comrade Mingo stated.

COPIES (CC) TO:

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG)

Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, Edo State

Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

Edo State Ministry of Justice, Benin City

Hon. Commissioner for Health

Edo State Ministry of Health, Benin City

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)

Abuja Headquarters

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)

Abuja

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

South-South Zonal Office, Benin City

Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)

Abuja

National Blood Service Commission (NBSC)

Abuja

Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Chapter