Benin City, Edo State – The Mumbor family in Benin City, Edo State, is calling for justice after their baby boy, Jeremiah, was allegedly infected with HIV through a blood transfusion at a private hospital.
The incident happened at Safe Bliss Medical Centre, located opposite Oliha Primary School on Siluko Road. According to the boy’s father, Mr. Mumbor, both he and his wife, Elisa, are HIV-negative. Their son only tested positive after receiving blood at the hospital.
What Happened
The sad story began on February 6, 2025, when baby Jeremiah became very sick. Doctors at the hospital said his blood level was dangerously low and he needed an urgent transfusion.
Mr. Mumbor offered to donate his own blood, but he said the hospital told him the person in charge of testing was unavailable. Instead, they insisted on buying blood from a blood bank, and charged the family ₦40,000.
After receiving two units of blood, the baby got better and was discharged.
Second Transfusion, Then Shocking News
Three months later, Jeremiah fell ill again. The hospital gave him another blood transfusion. But after that, the child got worse.
The hospital’s owner then advised the family to go to Edo Specialist Hospital. It was there that the child tested positive for HIV.
The parents were shocked. They went to other hospitals, including the Central Hospital in Benin, for confirmation. All results confirmed that Jeremiah was positive, while both parents were negative.
The only possible explanation, doctors said, was that the infection came from the blood transfusion.
Seeking Justice
Mr. Mumbor took the matter to the Edo State Ministry of Justice. He first visited the hospital with a friend pretending to be a lawyer to observe their response. Then he returned to the ministry to officially report the case.
The hospital owner refused to attend several government meetings until she finally showed up with lawyers. Eventually, the Ministry of Health sealed off the hospital, saying it was operating without a valid license.
But according to Mr. Mumbor, after a while the ministry told him they could no longer help and that he should take the case to court.
Police Investigation Begins
The family then took the matter to the police. The hospital owner was invited and showed up with more lawyers and the person who supplied the blood. Each party gave their version of the story, and police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Mumbor said, “My son is not even two years old, and now he will live with this forever. I just want justice.”
Activist Speaks Out
Human rights activist, Comrade Glory Omonigho, called on the Edo State Government, NACA, and the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) to take the matter seriously.
“This is not just a personal issue; this is a public health crisis,” he said.
This heartbreaking case shows why safe and tested blood is important. It also raises questions about how hospitals are supervised. For students and young people, it’s a reminder of why health safety, strong systems, and accountability really matter.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the public awaits justice for baby Jeremiah.
