Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State government has revealed its plans to conduct a maternity test on a 19-month-old baby allegedly infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at a private hospital in Benin City, saying that it will help clear suspicion of possiblity of baby swapping at birth.
It was gathered that the test would be fully funded by the state government.
The State Commissioner for Health Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole said this while speaking on the update on the ministry’s probe into the allegation.
Dr. Oshiomhole said the test forms part of the ongoing investigations to find out the actual source of infection, especially as the baby’s current parents, Mr. Praise Mumbor and Mrs. Kimi Mumbor, tested negative for the virus.
Dr. Oshiomhole further stated that laboratory tests of the donors of the blood transfused to the baby revealed they are HIV-negative.
“Yes, at this stage we want to be sure that the woman is the owner of the baby because we tested the parents, father and mother are negative, donors negative, so let us probe further.
“Let it be known that the baby was not swapped during delivery. Forget about paternity test now, I do not want to destroy marriage, let us go for the maternity test first, the father of the baby said the baby was born at home, I said it’s okay, don’t worry.
“So, I told my director that there is one place in Lagos, call them to find out how much, we will pay,” Dr. Oshiomhole said.
He also said that apart from laboratory tests, his ministry has conducted physical examination of the baby’s body to check for traditional cuts which could be a source of infection due to unsterilized instruments deploy.
“The baby has a scar on the upper trunk, I don’t know whether it’s a scarification mark, though his mother said it was from a boil,” he said.
The father of the baby, Mr. Praise Mumbor, said he has no objection to the planned maternity test, adding that his child was delivered at home and has remained with him and the mother 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 planned maternity test, as long as it is done in good faith,” Mr. Mumbor said.
Recall that Mr. Praise Mumbor had narrated that, “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 blood was very low and that we should buy blood (N40,000.00) for him otherwise his veins would collapse. I paid and they gave him the blood two times, after two days he was discharged from the hospital.
“Again, on May 5, 2025, my baby was sick, we rushed him to the same Safe Bliss Medical Centre, the doctor also said my baby needed blood, I said I don’t have money and that I will donate blood for my baby.
“The doctor said no because the lab staff to screen my blood before transfusion has closed. I contacted my people, they sent me money, so I paid (N35,000.00) for the blood because I don’t want my baby to die, he was transfused, three days later, he was discharged”.
Contacted, the hospital said it would comment at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adesotu Humphrey of the facility earlier maintained that all clinical protocols for transfusion were observed, stressing that the hospital sourced blood from a licensed blood bank.
He also said the baby tested HIV-negative in their facility before transfusion.