JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES SHIFT ON BLOOD

Staff Writer /Sat, 03 Oct 2026

The Department of Health has welcomed what it calls a “historic and significant” change by Jehovah’s Witnesses on blood transfusions.

The department says the religious group’s change of heart will ease a long-standing burden on doctors and other healthcare workers dealing with patients who need blood or blood components.

AdvertisementYour business hereAdvertise with News Junction

The department welcomed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, saying Jehovah’s Witnesses had changed their longstanding position on blood transfusions.

For decades, the religious position on blood transfusions had presented challenges, particularly in emergency and critical-care situations where blood can be needed to save a patient’s life.

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said the change was a “giant leap”.

He said the development would lift a substantial burden from healthcare workers, some of whom had previously had to approach the courts to save children whose parents objected to blood transfusions because of their religious beliefs.

“We note that Jehovah’s Witness still prohibit transfusion of whole blood, but we wish to reassure the nation that this prohibition is not of significance to the healthcare system,” Motsoaledi said.

He said doctors and hospitals had for decades discouraged the use of whole blood for ordinary transfusions.

“Whole blood is extremely unaffordable and, in many cases, not needed. There are very few circumstances under which whole blood need to be transfused,” he said.

The department explained that a blood transfusion involves giving donated blood or specific blood components to a patient through a vein to replace lost blood or treat conditions affecting blood function.

It said blood transfusions can be life-saving, particularly by restoring oxygen delivery and helping stop bleeding.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said blood transfusion can also make complex medical procedures possible where replacing lost blood or specific blood components is necessary.

News Junction