Jehovah’s Witnesses Clarify Stance On Blood, Allow Self-Donation In Medical Care

Jehovah’s Witnesses have introduced a clarification to their long-standing doctrine on blood transfusion, allowing members to make personal decisions بشأن the medical use of their own blood, including whether it can be removed, stored, and later reinfused during treatment.
In a video statement released on Friday via the organisation’s official website, Gerrit Lösch, a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, said the update underscores the role of individual conscience in matters involving a patient’s own blood.
He reaffirmed that the denomination’s core teaching remains unchanged, stressing that members are still expected to “abstain from blood,” particularly in reference to transfusions involving donated blood, in line with their interpretation of biblical instructions.
However, the organisation noted that the Bible does not specifically address medical procedures involving a person’s own blood. This distinction, it said, has led to the clarification that such decisions should be left to individual members.
According to the new guidance, members may choose whether their blood can be stored and reused during surgeries or other medical procedures, with the decision guided by personal faith and understanding of scripture.
“The decision is a personal one,” the group stated, adding that individuals may arrive at different conclusions after prayerful consideration of biblical principles.
While the prohibition on receiving another person’s blood remains firmly in place, Jehovah’s Witnesses said the updated position reflects evolving medical practices, including technologies such as cell salvage systems and heart-lung machines, which utilise a patient’s own blood.
The clarification comes amid increasing global attention to medical ethics and patient autonomy, especially in faith-based healthcare decisions.
In December 2025, the issue drew public attention following the death of Mensha Omotola Esther, popularly known as Aunty Esther, a grocery shopper who reportedly declined a blood transfusion in adherence to her faith while battling breast cancer.