The Lagos State Government (LASG) has come to the rescue of a dying infant whose Jehovah witnesses parents rejected a blood transfusion that would save her life because of religious doctrines.
However, LASG was forced to intervene in a matter of life and death concerning the premature fourteen-day-old child who was diagnosed as severely jaundiced.
LASG applied for a court order under the Child Rights Law to enable the infant receive the medical treatment that would save her life.
Mahmud Hassan, Head of Public Affairs, Office of Public Defender (OPD) who made this known in a statement, disclosed the infant was a premature baby who needed immediate blood transfusion.
“However, the parents of the girl, who are Jehovah’s Witnesses and on medical insurance, vehemently opposed the blood transfusion for the baby, citing religious beliefs and contrary to medical advice, decided to discharge the baby and took her home.
“The critical health condition of the baby and the defiant position of her parents persuaded a spirited member of the public to inform the OPD to save the child from untimely death.
“The agency swung into action immediately, got the relevant court order by invoking the relevant sections of the Lagos Child Rights Law of 2015 and the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy of 2016.
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“In collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Adeniji-Adele and Orile stations, the baby was eventually taken from the parents’ home after stiff resistance from other mobilised members of the Jehovah Witness on December 30, 2019. The baby was taken to the Massey Street Children Hospital,” he added.
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