HIV Negative couple in distress as 19-Month-Old Son test Positive

An Edo State couple, Mr. and Mrs. Praise Mumbor, has been thrown into shock and anguish after discovering that their 19-month-old son, Jeremiah, contracted HIV allegedly following blood transfusions at a private hospital in Benin City.

The heartbreaking incident began in February when baby Jeremiah was rushed to Safe Bliss Medical Centre after suffering a high fever.

According to his father, doctors discovered his blood level had dropped dangerously to a Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of 15 and recommended an urgent blood transfusion.

The family paid N40,000 for the blood and Jeremiah was transfused twice before being discharged.

Two months later, in May, Jeremiah fell ill again and was taken back to the same hospital.

The doctors once again advised a transfusion.

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Though Mr. Mumbor offered to donate his blood, he claimed the hospital refused, saying their lab staff had closed for the day.

He eventually raised N35,000 to pay for another transfusion.

After his condition failed to improve, the baby was referred to Edo Specialist Hospital where multiple screenings revealed that Jeremiah was HIV positive.

Alarmed, the hospital also screened both parents who tested negative for the virus.

A medical practitioner at Edo Specialist Hospital, speaking anonymously, confirmed the results, adding that the likely cause of the child’s infection was through the transfused blood.

Devastated, Mr. Mumbor lamented, “My wife and I don’t have HIV, how come my baby now has it? This has shattered our family. Jeremiah is our first child and he’ll be two years old in September. The hospital must answer for this.”

In response, Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of Safe Bliss Medical Centre insisted that standard clinical procedures were followed before both transfusions, and that Jeremiah tested negative for HIV prior to receiving blood.

He added that the hospital had commenced an independent investigation into the matter.

The distraught couple has since petitioned the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, demanding justice for their child and accountability from the private hospital.

The family described the ordeal as emotionally traumatic and called for a thorough investigation.