Members of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been granted greater personal discretion on the use of their own blood during medical procedures, following a doctrinal clarification announced by the group’s leadership.
The new guidance maintains the long-standing prohibition on transfusions involving another person’s blood but allows individuals to decide whether their own blood can be stored and reused during surgery or treatment.
In a video statement released on Friday, Gerrit Lösch, a member of the Governing Body, said the clarification is intended to give believers more autonomy in medical decisions.
“Regarding the use of one’s own blood…a Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy,” he said.
Lösch explained that while the doctrine requiring Christians to abstain from blood remains unchanged, the Bible does not explicitly address the use of one’s own blood in medical care.
“Some Christians may decide that they would allow their blood to be stored and then be given back to them. Others may object. Each Christian must make his personal decision on all matters involving the use of his own blood with regard to medical or surgical care,” he added.
He noted that many members already accept procedures involving their own blood, including tests, dialysis, and the use of medical devices such as heart-lung machines and cell salvage systems.
The issue has drawn renewed attention in Nigeria following the death of Mensah Omolola, popularly known as AuntieEsther, a cancer patient who declined a blood transfusion on religious grounds before her passing in December 2025. Her case sparked widespread debate on the balance between faith and medical advice.
Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasised that their stance on blood is rooted in biblical teachings, citing passages such as Genesis 9:4 and Acts 15:28–29, which instruct believers to abstain from blood.
The group has consistently maintained that its members do not reject medical treatment but instead seek alternatives that align with their beliefs, including so-called “bloodless” medical techniques.
The latest clarification reflects an effort to reconcile long-held religious principles with evolving medical practices, while placing final decisions on the use of personal blood in the hands of individual members.
