Health
Hospital must explain why my daughter is SS while I’m SC, wife AA – Father
You recently cried out on social media about the possible swap of your child at birth at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho. Can you narrate what happened?
My name is Adediji Moses, I’m from Ogbomosho, I’m married with three children and I’m 34 years old. I’m the father of Esther Adediji, a child I believe was swapped at birth.
It happened in 2018. My daughter was born on November 15. Before her delivery, we didn’t even realise that my wife was ready to have a child. She said she didn’t feel too well and we decided to take her to the hospital for a checkup. On arrival at the hospital, the medical workers were on strike and we met only a nurse when we got there late in the night. She stated that she could not tend to her and we were referred to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. When we got there at midnight, they attended to us and my wife had a baby. After the delivery, my grandmother who accompanied us to the hospital told me to go to bed because she was with us. After the delivery, we were told that my baby had jaundice and something in her brain and that without treatment, she would be dull.
What did the medical workers who attended to your wife advise you to do?
With that said, we were asked to stay back at the hospital and we spent up to a month there. In 2021, my wife and I were already in Lagos where we work and my daughter became ill. My grandmother took her to the hospital for treatment and that was what led to us conducting a genotype test. When I was told that she had sickle cell disease. I said it was not possible because my genotype is SC while my wife’s is AA. Later, I took all my children to Ogbomosho and we conducted several tests. Despite all the tests done, she (my daughter) always came back as SS and this became an issue for me. How is that possible? We were also invited as a family and all of us had our test conducted and the results were the same. We also went to Sickle Cell Foundation, Lagos, and we had the test done and it was the same. This last admission was two weeks ago when she became seriously ill which frustrated me so much that despite not being financially strong, despite finding it very difficult to feed myself and my family, I have a child whose care is taking from me almost everything I work for.
What action did you take?
After this thought, I went back to the LAUTECH teaching hospital and complained, and after a lot of back and forth and not believing my words, I was told to go bring my child and wife, adding that they could only confirm my claims by having a test done. They gave us a day to come and my wife and child were present. They took samples from us and when the result came out, it was the same. That was why I raised the alarm in public, appealing to Nigerians to come to my aid. I have been to no fewer than five hospitals to have a genotype test conducted and we continued to have the same result from the tests, not for my child alone but also for me and my wife. My other children had their genotype tests and they confirmed that their genotype is AS.
When you had a new test conducted for your daughter at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, what was the response of the doctors in charge?
When the results came out, they could not say anything. They were all there looking at one another, knowing that it wasn’t meant to be so. That day, the person in charge was perambulating before he gave me the result. I noticed that they were fidgeting and it seemed like they had something to hide. How asked them whether it was possible to have that kind of result, but they could not say anything. When the doctors saw it, they said that they would get in touch with me. They were harsh towards me after the result of the test came out. On the day I went to collect the result of the test, they took it from me and said that they would discuss it with the chief medical director. The next day, when I got there to get the result, probably to take a shot of it for record purposes, the man in charge sent me out of his office, claiming that it was not time for me to be attended to, despite waiting for a long time to see him. After a while, he came out and was walking away and when I looked up, I realised that he was watching the video I made about the issue.
When did you make the video?
I made the video the same day just before I left home but before I got to the hospital, the video had gone viral. When I saw that he didn’t attend to me, I left the hospital.
Can you remember the doctors or nurses who handled the delivery on the day your child was born?
No, I can’t remember those who were on duty on that day but there was someone there that I know who is a ward orderly. She had a child in a school where I used to teach some years back. That was the only person I could.
Were you present at the birth of the child?
I took my wife to the hospital myself but I wasn’t in the labour room where she had the child. I was outside. With all that I’ve seen so far and the information available to me, which is clear, what is certain is that my child was swapped at birth; that is what it means. The money I have spent on the child is so much that I can’t state the exact amount. However, in the last two years, she has taken almost everything I have worked for. I can’t start calculating it, but it has not been easy for me. I was frustrated by the thought that my child may have been swapped at birth. I’m still really frustrated running up and down for her care. This is what I had been running away from before I got married. I did not want to marry a wife whose genotype is not AA. We were all taught and we know which genotypes are compatible and the ones that are not. I did my due diligence when I wanted to get married.
What I want from them is to investigate to know what happened and how I had a daughter with the SS genotype when my wife and I have the AA and SC genotypes, respectively. I also want them to find out the doctors in charge on the night my wife delivered a baby and those who were responsible for swapping my baby. I also want the Oyo State Government to intervene in the issue because the hospital is owned by the state government. I want them to also help me. They should ensure that the investigation is quickly done to find out who was responsible for swapping my child.
Do you want the sick child returned to her biological mother and yours returned to you if your allegation turns out to be true?
She is a child that I love so much and she loves me as well. It is not that I want to return the child or something, what I am pleading is for her to be appropriately taken care of. However, when they find out where my original child is, it will be good for me to at least know where the child is and I’ll rest. I beg the government to come to my aid because it is not easy to have two sickle cell patients in a family; despite being a sickle cell patient myself, as the husband of the house, I have to also provide for the family. So, it has not been easy for me.
Yes, I want them to find my biological child. I’m not saying that they should give me the child because if I am told to take my biological child and return the sick child I have with me, it would affect the two children psychologically because they have grown up and adapted to some parents already. It can affect the children who know nothing about the crime that was committed. They are innocent and can’t be allowed to go through this mental and psychological stress. I don’t want to return the baby, I just want to be helped to care for her and also know who committed such a crime and ensure they do not repeat it some other time.
What measures do you think should be taken against those found culpable?
I don’t want the doctors’ licences seized or they declared unfit to practice because that would be a lot of punishment. I don’t want that to happen to anyone because we all offend God and He forgives us. So, who are we as humans not to offend God? They also have children and family to feed. If their licences are seized, what will their family feed on? Yes, they should be punished but taking their licences will be too much. The only thing I care about now is knowing where my biological child is and for the crime not to repeat itself.
All that I want is for Nigerians and the public to help me turn this child into a successful person who will be known far and wide for good because she is a child that God has given intelligence. She is five years old and serious about education. Sickness is something that weighs one down and she won’t be able to go to school to take exams when she is weighed down by sickness. That also affected my education. I need help to take care of her. I do not have the financial capacity to take care of her. I also appreciate those who have shown support so far and I hope that a solution will be gotten as soon as possible. I strongly believe that God has a plan and that is why this has happened to me, but I want to know those who orchestrated this evil against my family by swapping my biological child at birth.
Have you faced any threats while trying to get justice?
Recently, I approached a radio station in Ibadan, Agidigbo FM, where I also explained what I was going through. After that, I’ve been trying to fend for my family and care for my girl because all my work is practically to take care of her and her medical bills. So, it was in the morning when I started noticing a funny movement. I took my bike out and was going to start working when I saw two men near my house but they didn’t look like they wanted to take a bike. I left for work and came back home in the evening. After staying at home for a while, I wanted to go and see someone and by the time I was back, I saw the two men by the side of my bike; there was a Toyota Camry car with the door opened there also. I asked them to please adjust and that I wanted to take my bike but instead, they approached me as if they wanted to talk to me but they placed a gun by my side and asked me to enter inside the car. I entered the car and they used handkerchiefs to cover my face, so I didn’t know where I was driven to. They drove for about 20 to 30 minutes before they stopped. One of them got down and made calls and they said a lot of things to me.
What did they tell you?
The major thing they told me was that innocent people would be affected if I continued to take any step in unravelling what was behind my daughter’s case at the LAUTECH teaching hospital. I started begging them and telling them that I wasn’t going to drag any case but that I wanted my daughter and wife to live a good life and be well-taken care of. They spoke to someone via calls again and concluded that they would release me. They warned me that they were watching me and if I took any step again, they would find me. Around some minutes after 10 pm, they carried me again and returned me to Orita Nira where they picked me up.
What do you want now?
Honestly, I don’t want to pursue any case, especially with what just happened to me. The only thing that I want is to be able to fend for my family and help them while ensuring that they are in good health. My wife and I are jobless and I only ride okada to survive. If they help me, I would be able to fend for the family without worrying about taking care of my daughter’s health. My parents also took care of me and that was how I survived. I believe that she can also be taken care of.
The Federal Government has intensified emergency measures to contain the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, with plans to establish treatment and isolation centres in states hosting designated ports of entry.
The development follows an increase in the number of persons identified as contacts of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient from 44 to 53.
The national incident management system has also been activated under the coordination of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
The confirmed case involves a woman who travelled to Nigeria after visiting Uganda, following an earlier trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She reportedly developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on October 20.
The World Health Organisation is investigating the possible source of the infection.
Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain proper hygiene, avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of suspected Ebola patients and promptly report suspected infections.
The NCDC also warned against stigmatising persons undergoing monitoring, stressing that public cooperation, early detection and effective contact tracing remain critical to preventing further transmission.
The woman who tested positive for Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the wife of a Swiss diplomat stationed in Abuja, with preliminary investigations suggesting that she contracted the deadly virus during a recent trip to Uganda.
According to Reuters, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that the 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman tested positive on October 20, marking Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola case in over a decade.
The Swiss authorities disclosed that the patient had spent approximately one week receiving treatment at a private hospital in Abuja after developing symptoms before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The ministry explained that the woman was believed to have contracted the virus during a visit to Uganda about two weeks earlier.
Her husband, who accompanied her on the trip, has since been placed in isolation as a precautionary measure, although he has not exhibited any symptoms of the disease.
However, uncertainty remains over the actual source of the infection, as international health agencies intensify efforts to reconstruct the patient’s travel history and identify possible exposure routes.
Ugandan authorities had suggested that the woman visited eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo before travelling through Uganda, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the claim had not been independently verified.
Africa CDC official Wessam Mankoula disclosed during an online briefing that Nigerian and Ugandan health authorities were exchanging information to establish the patient’s movements.
He maintained that there was currently no validated evidence confirming that the woman travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Providing further clarification, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, said available records indicated that the patient travelled to Uganda on September 16 and returned to Abuja on October 3.
Ursu also confirmed that the woman remained hospitalised, adding that medical indicators showed signs of improvement.
Meanwhile, WHO Emergency Response Manager Patrick Otim said investigations were continuing to establish where the infection originated and identify health facilities the patient visited after developing symptoms.
The Nigerian case has been linked to an outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected persons, including deceased victims. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe infections can result in death.
Health authorities are currently tracing the patient’s contacts and reviewing her movements to identify individuals who may have been exposed and prevent further transmission of the virus.
The Enugu State Government says it has strengthened its disease surveillance and puts health officials on alert within the 17 council areas in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said this on Wednesday in Enugu during a press conference on Actions of the State Government in Response to Confirmed Case of Ebola in Abuja.
Ugwu said that following the confirmation of the case, the government had reactivated and strengthened the Enugu State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) to coordinate preparedness, surveillance and response activities.
“Specifically, the State has intensified disease surveillance across its 17 Local Government Areas and strengthened coordination with relevant agencies and partners.
“Surveillance activities around the Akanu Ibiam International Airport are also being strengthened in collaboration with Port Health Services and other relevant stakeholders.
“The state is further maintaining its Rapid Response Teams and relevant technical personnel on standby, while preparedness measures are being reviewed to ensure that the state is able to respond promptly should a suspected case be identified.
“Public awareness and risk communication activities are also being strengthened to ensure that members of the public receive accurate and timely information,” Ugwu, who is a Member of Presidential Committee on Ebola Prevention, said.
He said that health ministry would continue to work closely with Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, its agencies and other partners to ensure effective preparedness, early detection, appropriate response and timely communication
The commissioner said that the government considers the health security of the state’s residents as a major priority and had taken appropriate precautionary measures without creating unnecessary fear or panic.
He urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly observe infection prevention and control measures, use appropriate protective equipment, and promptly report any suspected case through the established channels.
According to him, the government will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure health workers safety and effective response.
“To the good people of Enugu State, I urge you to remain calm and vigilant. There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Enugu State, and the measures being taken are precautionary.
“The public is advised to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons, seek medical attention promptly when necessary, and report suspected sick person,” he said.
He specifically urged public and private health facilities across the state to remain on heightened alert and maintain a high index of suspicion for suspected cases, particularly among persons with relevant travel or exposure history.
“All suspected cases should be promptly isolated and immediately reported to the appropriate Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) or the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, while strict infection prevention and control measures are observed.
“I urge all health facilities to cooperate fully with the Enugu State Ministry of Health and other response agencies, as early detection and prompt notification are critical to preventing transmission,” he said.
It would be recalled that state government, through the Ministry of Health, for months had been undertaking Ebola Prevention Preparedness mesdures at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which is an international entry point.
The current Ebola Prevention measures at the airport is undertaking with collaboration of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, airport authorities and other relevant partners.
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The Enugu State Government says there is no confirmed case of diphtheria in the state, urging residents to disapprove unfounded ongoing rumours.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, made the clarification in a briefing on Wednesday in Enugu on update on the rumoured suspected case of a diphtheria patient in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu.
“In response to this, the Public health and Surveillance unit of the State Ministry of Health are already at alert and to ensure appropriate prevention control measure and early detection as may be necessary.
“A few days ago, there was a report of suspected case of diphtheria at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu which was followed by our team.
“However, the diagnosis of diphtheria could not be sustained or confirmed; while the patient, wito was rumoured and suspected to have diphtheria,
had tonsillitis,” he said.
The commissioner noted that accordingly, contact traces and other appropriate measures are ongoing and “yet diphtheria are not diagnosed or confirmed in the state.”
He explained that the suspected patient had been traced to his home in Achara Layout in Enugu and he did not have any record of travel and had not being to the northern part of the country as rumoured.
“Our surveillance and tracing teams have also contacted his family members and others but no trace of diphtheria established,” he said.
Ugwu noted that although the state had remained on high alert against infectious diseases, “Enugu State is never at high risk of contacting diphtheria”.
“For the state, we have a robust routine and mop up vaccination especially on Penta 3, which provides effective immunisation against diphtheria for a whole life time.
“In 2026 Vaccination, we had 91 per cent record of coverage on Penta 3 vaccination, which is even above the national target or threshold,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information as well as seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms of any sickness.
He said, “The ministry is calling on parents and caregivers to ensure children are fully immunised with diphtheria containing vaccines (Penta 3).
“Residents are urged to follow the advice of health authorities during contact tracing and monitoring.
“Healthcare workers are urged to maintain appropriate standard precautions, promptly notify suspected cases through the surveillance system and ensure appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
“The Enugu State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNTH and relevant international partners, continues to monitor the situation and will be proactive for further information as necessary,” he added.
It would be recalled that there is an outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria and 19,799 suspected cases sent to molecular laboratory test; with 15,309 confirmed cases and 517 confirmed death across 26 states and 357 Local Government Areas.
The worst affected states accounting for over 98 per cent cases of diphtheria are Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Kastin, Sokato, Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Diphtheria is a serious but vaccine preventable bacterial disease that can spread though respiratory droplets and close contact.
Symptoms of Diphtheria include: fever, sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, cough, difficulty breathing, swelling of the neck and greyish/white membrane in the throat.
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, has urged patients, visitors and members of the public to remain calm following the management of a clinically suspected case of diphtheria at the hospital.
The reassurance followed concerns over the admission and subsequent death of a paediatric patient at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER).
According to a statement issued by the hospital management on Wednesday, the patient received medical intervention immediately after admission but died two days later despite efforts by the attending medical team.
The hospital said a subsequent clinical post-mortem review suggested that the severe symptoms may have been caused by severe pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria as initially suspected.
However, as a precautionary measure, UNTH said comprehensive contact tracing had commenced to identify and monitor individuals who may have had close contact with the deceased.
The hospital also confirmed that the Children’s Emergency Room had undergone standard decontamination in line with established infection prevention and control protocols.
UNTH said it had previously managed sporadic cases of diphtheria successfully and possesses the specialist personnel, isolation facilities and medical equipment required to manage infectious disease cases.
The management urged members of the public to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with diphtheria, including persistent fever, severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
It advised anyone experiencing such symptoms, as well as parents whose children develop them, to seek immediate medical attention at a recognised healthcare facility and avoid self-medication.
Healthcare workers, patients and visitors were also advised to maintain proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette while within the hospital premises.
The hospital management assured the public that it would continue to prioritise community safety and public health, while providing updates based on verified medical information.
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