The Court orders the blood transfusion for two years to Cross River despite the objection of the parents

A family court sitting in the Craross River State Calabar district ordered at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital to proceed with a blood transfusion for a two -year -old girl, Ruth Oham Samuel, despite the opposition of her parents for religious reasons.

The Court, chaired by Deputy Chief Registration, Mrs. VSS Ebaye, held the sentence on Thursday 8 May 2025, following an ex -part motion presented by the Base Rights Counsel Initiative (BCCI).

The cause, marked with MC/FC/21/2025, listed the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke, father of the child, as interviewees.

According to the order of the Court, which was signed by Chancellor Kate Michael Enoh, the child – who is currently in intensive care – receives a blood transfusion and any other medical intervention necessary to save her life.

The Court also established that the consent of the parents is no longer requested given the urgency of the situation.

The order recited in part: “That the 1st respondent, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke are forced/direct/mandatory/authorized to administer a transfusion of blood and/or a medical intervention that can be reasonably requested to preserve the life and well -being of Ruth Oham Samuel (F), 2 years, 9 months.”

The parents, who are members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to what reported had rejected the medical recommendation based on their faith, which forbids the blood transfusion.

Witnesses in the hospital said that the family tried to remove the child by force to prevent the procedure.

An organization for human rights, the humanist who enables the Love (Hiels) project, praised the intervention of Bci. In a declaration issued by its founder, dr. Leo Igwe, the group said that Ruth was at risk of dying within 72 hours without transfusion.

“Medical agents must remain vigilant and ensure that no child is in danger from their parents’ religious beliefs,” he added.

Help also invited the government and the interested parties to face the implications of these religious practices, citing the great population of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria and the potential risk to the well -being of minors.

The Court also established that the parents remain financially responsible for the treatment of the daughter.

The case underlines the ongoing tensions between religious beliefs and laws on the rights of minors in Nigeria, in particular as regards the medical procedures life -saving.

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