Mr. and Mrs. Praise Mumbor with their baby, Jeremiah……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The Edo State Government has announced plans to conduct a maternity test on a 19-month-old baby allegedly infected with HIV at a private hospital in Benin City.
It was gathered that the test, which will be fully funded by the government, forms part of ongoing investigations to unravel the actual source of the infection.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed this when our correspondent visited his office to seek an update on the ministry’s probe into the case.
According to him, the test became necessary after both parents of the child, Mr. Praise Mumbor and Mrs. Kimi Mumbor, tested negative for the virus.
Laboratory checks also confirmed that the donors of the blood transfused to the baby were HIV-negative.
Dr. Oshiomhole explained that the maternity test would help to clear suspicions of possible baby swapping at birth as investigators explore all angles.
“Yes, at this stage, we want to be sure that the woman is the mother of the baby because, we tested the father and mother and they are negative; the donors are also negative. So, let us probe further.
“Let it be known that the baby was not swapped during delivery. Forget about the paternity test for now, I do not want to destroy marriages. Let us go for the maternity test first.
“The father of the baby said that the child was born at home, and I said it’s okay, don’t worry. I asked my director to contact a centre in Lagos to find out the cost, and the government will pay,” he explained.
The commissioner also confirmed that beyond laboratory tests, the ministry had conducted a physical examination on the baby to check for possible traditional cuts that could have exposed the child to infection through unsterilised instruments.
“The baby has a scar on the upper trunk. I don’t know whether it is a scarification mark, though the mother said it was from a boil,” he added.
On his part, the father of the baby, Mr. Praise Mumbor, said he had no objection to the planned maternity test. He stressed that his child was delivered at home and had remained with him and his wife since birth.
“In our meeting last Thursday, I explained to the Commissioner that my baby was born in my house, so I do not think there is any possibility of a baby swap. Since he is not satisfied with that, I still do not have a problem with the maternity test, as long as it is done in good faith,” Mumbor said.
Recounting the child’s medical history, Mumbor 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’s blood was very low and that we should buy blood (₦40,000) for him otherwise his veins would collapse. I paid, and they gave him blood twice. After two days, he was discharged.
“Again, on May 5, 2025, my baby fell ill and we rushed him to the same Safe Bliss Medical Centre. The doctor also said my baby needed blood. I said I didn’t have money and that I was willing to donate blood myself, but the doctor refused, saying the lab staff to screen my blood had closed. I later got support from family members and paid ₦35,000 for the blood. He was transfused and discharged after three days.”
Contacted, the hospital said it would comment at the appropriate time.
However, Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of the facility earlier maintained that all clinical protocols for transfusion were observed, adding that the blood was sourced from a licensed blood bank.
He also said the baby tested HIV-negative at the hospital before transfusion.
Following reports of the case, the Edo State Ministry of Health sealed the facility as part of its investigation. Dr. Oshiomhole explained that Safe Bliss Medical Centre was shut down for operating illegally……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
