NewStats: 3,259,270 , 8,169,701 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 03:37 PM g5d10

Court Orders Blood Transfusion For Two-Year-Old Girl In Cross River State Despite Parents' Objection

A family court in Cross River State, the Calabar Magisterial District, has issued an order compelling the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Teaching Hospital and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke to ister a blood transfusion and other medical interventions necessary to preserve the life of Ruth Oham Samuel, a two-year-old girl currently in intensive care.

The order, issued by Presiding Deputy Chief Registrar, Mrs. V.S.S. Ebaye, was granted in a motion ex-parte dated and filed on May 8, 2025, brought by the ed Trustees of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) through its counsel, O. N. Tateh, Esq.

The suit, NO: MC/FC/21/2025, has the ed Trustees of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) as the applicant and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke (father of the child) as the 1st and 2nd respondents.

The enrolled order, signed by the Registrar, Kate Michael Enoh, which SaharaReporters obtained on Friday partly reads: "Upon this motion ex-parte coming before this Honorable Court in its competent jurisdiction on Thursday, the 8th day of May, 2025. And upon hearing the applicant's counsel, praying the court for the reliefs set out on the face of the motion paper.

"And this Honourable Court having given due consideration to the affidavit filed in of the application, I am persuaded to hold that the order herein sought is bona fide, meritorious, and giving validity under the Child Rights Law of Cross River State, 2023 and so ought to be granted.

"It is therefore hereby granted as prayed. Consequently, it is hereby ordered as follows: That the 1st respondent, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke are hereby compelled/directed/mandated/authorised to ister a blood transfusion and/or such medical intervention as may be reasonably required to preserve the life and well-being of Ruth Oham Samuel (F), 2 years, 9 months, currently in their care.

"That an order is hereby made dispensing with the consent of the parent of the said Ruth Oham Samuel in light of the urgent medical necessity.

"That the parents of Ruth Oham Samuel are hereby compelled within their means to bear the financial implications of the treatment of their child, Ruth Oham Samuel."

However, SaharaReporters gathered that the order was issued following the refusal of Mr. Oham Samuel Oke, the father of little Ruth, to ister any blood transfusion on the girl due to their faith.

An eyewitness, James Ibor, told SaharaReporters that Oke and his family had mobilised other to the hospital to ensure that no blood transfusion was effected on the dying child.

"They are getting physical and trying to take the child away from the hospital against medical advice," Ibor said.

Meanwhile, human rights organisation, Humanist Enabling Love Project (HELP), has applauded the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) for obtaining a court order to treat Ruth, who urgently needs a blood transfusion in Calabar, Cross River State.

The group, in a statement by its founder, Dr. Leo Igwe, said that doctors at the university teaching hospital had recommended an urgent blood transfusion for Ruth, or she would away within 72 hours.

Regrettably, the parents of Ruth declined, stating that they were of Jehovah's Witnesses and their faith did not allow blood transfusion.

HELP commended BRCI for taking this life-saving measure and urged medical officers to be vigilant and ensure that parents and guardians do not endanger or undermine the health and treatment of children using their mistaken and misguided faith positions.

The statement partly read, "HELP commends BRCI for taking this life-saving measure. It urges medical officers to be vigilant and ensure that parents and guardians do not endanger or undermine the health and treatment of children using their mistaken and misguided faith positions."

The group also pointed out that the belief against blood transfusion is based on biblical texts and that this belief is not divine but rather human.

"Nigeria must pay close attention to this development, as there are over 400,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the country, and efforts must be made to restrain parents who are Jehovah's Witnesses Travel guides from harming their children and relatives using their misguided faith notions," Igwe stated.

SaharaReporters

Regrettably, the parents of Ruth declined, stating that they were of Jehovah's Witnesses and their faith did not allow blood transfusion.

Religion will finish some people cos their brains ceases to think due to foolishness occasioned by indoctrination. Weldone to the court. In advanced countries, this becomes a safeguarding concern and that child will never be handed back to such foolish parents.

Wicked parents. Allow the child to be transfused please. How can you allow your child to die because of you're of Jehovah's witness?

God abeg o!!

This is a landmark judgment. I wish the court can be this decisive and clear for political matters

The parents should be made aware that if they fail to grant the child her right to life by refusing her blood transfusion, and she dies, they'll be imprisoned for 25 years each; with hard labour!

This law should be made to help preserve life, especially in cases where it is preservable.

Imagine losing your life because your parents decided to force their own misguided beliefs on the innocent child who knows nothing about religion or faith.

In this side of the world people acting on what they have little or no knowledge about is common.
Blood Transfusion is no longer tenable as a safe means of treatment around the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLotSbIHSVY?si=ufYjQ189kSCqjx_s

Though God has warned His worshipers thousands of years ago to abstain from blood {Genesis 9:4} stating it'll guarantee good health {Act 15:28-29} but faithless people feels the book (Bible) shouldn't be the sole determinant of whatever they choose to do with their lives as it's an old book written by people they don't know.

Today health practitioners around the world are enlightening their people against the hazards of blood transfusion.

SmartProf:
Religion will finish some people cos their brains ceases to think due to foolishness occasioned by indoctrination. Weldone to the court. In advanced countries, this becomes a safeguarding concern and that child will never be handed back to such foolish parents.

Bigotry is another thing that stops people's brain from working. Even Professors lose their thinking faculty once bigotry takes over them

@achirladey my guy, are you see what I am saw, according to Chief Zebrudaya 😂😂😂

See as their brain dey work?
Maaaa.d Max and his people need mental and religious emancipation.

i lost a colleague through this means because he said he is a jehovah witness.

😳🤐

That's the right thing if the intention is to save her life.

Chai…..Na really Opium this thing be


That’s why I prefer Spirituality over Religion anyway, anytime, 5 times on a daily like Ibrahim

Our dear Senate should be making laws to empower doctors to override parents' decisions in cases like this where blood transfusion becomes necessary to save life, instead..

MaxInDHouse:
In this side of the world people acting on what they have little or no knowledge about is common.
Blood Transfusion is no longer tenable as a safe means of treatment around the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLotSbIHSVY?si=ufYjQ189kSCqjx_s

Though God has warned His worshipers thousands of years ago to abstain from blood {Genesis 9:4} stating it'll guarantee good health {Act 15:28-29} but faithless people feels the book (Bible) shouldn't be the sole determinant of whatever they choose to do with their lives as it's an old book written by people they don't know.

Today health practitioners around the world are enlightening their people against the hazards of blood transfusion.

Always making reference to the bible, what about common sense

k

Muslim dem for don Dey hear head slammerssss blah blah blah


Make dem give the baby blood of Jesus abeg

I wonder what they will tell their maker if the girl eventually die due to their ignorance they called "faith".

MaxInDHouse:
In this side of the world people acting on what they have little or no knowledge about is common.
Blood Transfusion is no longer tenable as a safe means of treatment around the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLotSbIHSVY?si=ufYjQ189kSCqjx_s

Though God has warned His worshipers thousands of years ago to abstain from blood {Genesis 9:4} stating it'll guarantee good health {Act 15:28-29} but faithless people feels the book (Bible) shouldn't be the sole determinant of whatever they choose to do with their lives as it's an old book written by people they don't know.

Today health practitioners around the world are enlightening their people against the hazards of blood transfusion.

Do you know how many people your wicked organisation has sent to untimely grave?

Excerpts from a previous related topic:

“It is a noble thing to be willing to die rather than do evil; however, it is a tragic thing when a false teaching and misrepresentation of Scripture causes lives to be needlessly lost. This is, unfortunately, the case with the Jehovah's Witness doctrine on blood transfusions. Scripture, not to mention medical science and common sense, teaches us that eating blood and receiving a blood transfusion is not practically or morally equivalent; they are, in fact, the opposite. It is a heavy thing to consider how those who have promoted this false teaching will have to give an before a holy God of the lives it has needlessly cost if they do not repent.”

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/5289623/blood-transfusions-sinful/1#80160841

Beautiful.

While I respect the faiths of others, I am yet to see any sense in some of the things some people do because of faith. The court made the right move. Since the little girl can't give or refuse consent, let her receive the blood. When she's old enough, if such a situation arises again, she can then choose whether or not to accept blood.

I one JW patient I had. We were to operate her ovarian cyst which had twisted. She is a full-blown adult in her early twenties. Parents refused to consent for transfusion if need be. I personally counseled them, but they remained adamant. I somehow noticed that the girl was uneasy and scared. I targeted her...when the parents weren't around and I went back to talk to her. She said she didn't care, and would want to be transfused if need be..she just didn't want to OFFEND HER PARENTS. She consented behind their backs....but thankfully, we didn't need to transfuse.

I've also seen situations where some witnesses consent to blood transfusion secretly. One gave consent, but told us not to allow any visitor until we were done.

One guy, young boy. He had a cancer that had spread. He came to clinic paper-white pale. We immediately asked to it and optimize him. He refused transfusion. After going back and forth, he finally accepted, but it was somehow too late. We lost him.

Religion, so far, has caused more harm than good, I think.

makes me happy

papyjaypaul:
This is a landmark judgment. I wish the court can be this decisive and clear for political matters

It's not actually. It's an existing law that have been used by doctors to save the lives of children whom can not consent for themselves and the parents' decision deemed irrational.

If you have a patient with such parents, seek a court order and you can carry on with the treatment against the patents' wishes

Come imagine say na u b the pikin and u dey for one local lungu. U go just die throway. If u dey read this and ur parents no be JW u no know wetin God don do for u ooo

I see a lot of insult to people's faith on nairaland.

Tolerance, we learnt in social studies and civic many many years ago is what keeps d society going.


I understand these people's faith but I respect d decision of the court. Period.

Not everyone will reason like u and be like u. In d Zoo r many different animals and that's what keeps it interesting.

If everyone was u this world will be a boring place of huge chaos. that and respect other people's beliefs and way of life.

No be u wise !

OLAADEGBU:


Regrettably, the parents of Ruth declined, stating that they were of Jehovah's Witnesses and their faith did not allow blood transfusion.

Nigerian Constitution respects people's faith and their decisions on health matters. As for the minor children their parents' decision is binding on them.However if the child is 14 or 16 ,he has becomes a minor adult who can speak for himself. A lot of judgements in Nigeria up to Appeal Courts and Supreme Court have been given to the right of Jehovah's witnesses to practice their religion according to their conception including their objection to blood transfusion.

Modern medicine has gone beyond blood transfusion because of the risks it possesses.Bloodless surgeries are most preferred by many doctors both abroad and in Nigeria. A woman who is a JW was operated upon some weeks ago in Nigeria.She is hale and hearty after the bloodless surgery.
Let us see what we happen after this exparte order by the magistrate who seems not to be aware of the extent judgements in related cases in Nigeria

Naso malaria and typhoid kill one of their member for my area that year because he refuse to take drugs. May God help us

Na wa

Some parents though...

There's another case like this too and the court ruled in favour of the Doctor.

How can you allow a child who can't make decisions on his/her own d*e because of your beliefs? What if that child grows up and decides not to be a JW?

A child you don't even know if he/she will even embrace Christianity. We should do better in Africa when it's comes to religion.

MaxInDHouse:
In this side of the world people acting on what they have little or no knowledge about is common.
Blood Transfusion is no longer tenable as a safe means of treatment around the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLotSbIHSVY?si=ufYjQ189kSCqjx_s

Though God has warned His worshipers thousands of years ago to abstain from blood {Genesis 9:4} stating it'll guarantee good health {Act 15:28-29} but faithless people feels the book (Bible) shouldn't be the sole determinant of whatever they choose to do with their lives as it's an old book written by people they don't know.

Today health practitioners around the world are enlightening their people against the hazards of blood transfusion.

Every medical intervention has got its own hazard, or side effects, or complications...blood transfusion included.

But guess what? Most times, these complications don't arise. Before surgery, patients are made to sign a written informed consent, they are also counseled on possible complications. Most times, these complications do not arise.

The so-called hazards of blood transfusion are not common outcomes. In my practice, in fact, I've transfused MULTIPLE patients. Not up to 5% come down with any form of complication. The ones that did react, a simple intervention with normal saline, hydrocort, promethazine and paracetamol is enough to control such a reaction.

Blood transfusion is safe, very safe. Has it its own complications? Yeah, but they hardly occur.