Jehovah’s Witness doctor allegedly refused to conduct a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs

[Aunty Jane]

That's unconscionable and pathetic.

I’m sorry….what?

They closed the clinic down because of the “reports”…..unsubstantiated reports that were made by the alleged husband.
The media loves people like you…..you believe everything they say, but you don’t need proof for any of it.

As a Christian, we are not supposed to judge others, especially when there is no real evidence except an allegation. We have a judicial system to figure that out, but in a country like Nigeria, accustomed to corruption on many levels, babies and their mothers will continue to die because they have these kinds of facilities….good enough supposedly for the delivery of this man’s other children, but because something went wrong, he wants to vent his grief and blame the doctor?

Please acquaint yourself with the facts here, and stop trying to justify your own prejudice.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

I’m sorry….what?

They closed the clinic down because of the “reports”…..unsubstantiated reports that were made by the alleged husband.
The media loves people like you…..you believe everything they say, but you don’t need proof for any of it.

As a Christian, we are not supposed to judge others, especially when there is no real evidence except an allegation. We have a judicial system to figure that out, but in a country like Nigeria, accustomed to corruption on many levels, babies and their mothers will continue to die because they have these kinds of facilities….good enough supposedly for the delivery of this man’s other children, but because something went wrong, he wants to vent his grief and blame the doctor?

Please acquaint yourself with the facts here, and stop trying to justify your own prejudice.

Unconscionable and pathetic.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Unconscionable and pathetic.

Like talking to a fence post…..

 

[Rita]

You do.

One moment, please...

Ifunanya Obeme-Ndukwe​

The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed and revoked the registration license of a clinic, located on Captain Amangala Street in Borokiri, Port Harcourt.

The action was taken by the Committee, led by the Director of Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, following an unscheduled inspection on Monday, prompted by reports of the death of one Mrs. Victoria Paris.

Mrs. Paris reportedly died after undergoing a caesarean section at the facility, and was allegedly refused blood transfusion by the medical personnel based on religious beliefs.



In a statement signed by Dr. Hope Avundaa on behalf of the Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee, it was revealed that the facility operated from a three-bedroom apartment converted into a six-bed maternity home run by one Comfort Etuk.



According to the Committee, inspections revealed that the clinic had no licensed nurse on site and was functioning beyond its approved scope, including performing surgical procedures in a poorly equipped environment.



The statement added that the facility also lacked a standard sterilization unit and failed to meet Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, standards.



The Committee has summoned all health workers, including doctors affiliated with the facility, to appear before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, panel.



Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, condemned the unethical practices of medical doctors working in substandard maternity homes, describing such affiliations as highly unprofessional and dangerous.



The statement added, “This exercise is a continuation of the anti-quackery mandate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State and other Healthcare Affiliate Associations in the State.”


DAILY POST

Sounds an awful place to go for medical care - to be honest how on earth , in that kind of environment, can the lack of a blood transfusion be solely alleged as a cause of death. Granted perhaps it proves that there is some essence of truth to the story about this lady passing away, but it’s the hospital they have taken the license away from, not one particular doctor. Which relays to me that the whole place is to blame for what happened.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Sounds an awful place to go for medical care - to be honest how on earth , in that kind of environment, can the lack of a blood transfusion be solely alleged as a cause of death. Granted perhaps it proves that there is some essence of truth to the story about this lady passing away, but it’s the hospital they have taken the license away from, not one particular doctor. Which relays to me that the whole place is to blame for what happened.

Nigeria is not a wealthy country but by the looks of the alleged photos of these people, they are far from poor.
There is scant detail and nothing really adds up because the couple’s children were supposedly all born in that clinic, if you believe this story. As you said, it may have elements of truth but these maternity clinics are common in Nigeria.…and so are complications from childbirth in that country. Out of the top 5 causes of death in Nigeria, 2 are related to childbirth.

There was supposedly a problem with the electricity as well, so those who are so willing to jump on this bandwagon with no real evidence, need to understand that you cannot always believe what the media says, especially when this story came from a Facebook post. Do they care about the truth? Do we know how many Facebook scams originate in Nigeria? Too many.

Shame on the OP is all I can say…..it was a cheap shot.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

Like talking to a fence post…..

Cultist ad hominems only show how lost they are.

Keep going.

Do you agree with refusing a patient blood transfusion if it will save their life?

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

Sounds an awful place to go for medical care - to be honest how on earth , in that kind of environment, can the lack of a blood transfusion be solely alleged as a cause of death. Granted perhaps it proves that there is some essence of truth to the story about this lady passing away, but it’s the hospital they have taken the license away from, not one particular doctor. Which relays to me that the whole place is to blame for what happened.

Quite possibly so.
Tragedies like this reiterate how blessed we are in the West to have access to proper care.

Maybe this loss of that poor woman's life will serve to warn others here in America.

Find out if your surgeon is Jehovah Witness before consenting to their care.

It could happen here. God forbid.

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-protects-workers-conscience-rights.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Department%20is%20committed%20to,/complaints/index.html.

 

[Rita]

Quite possibly so.
Tragedies like this reiterate how blessed we are in the West to have access to proper care.

Maybe this loss of that poor woman's life will serve to warn others here in America.

Find out if your surgeon is Jehovah Witness before consenting to their care.

It could happen here. God forbid.

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-protects-workers-conscience-rights.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Department%20is%20committed%20to,/complaints/index.html.

I doubt it would happen in the USA or where I am in the U.K.
Also I do agree with aunty Jane here, that it is alleged.
I am kind of grateful I live in the U.K. anyway, I don’t have to worry about whether I can afford treatment Or whether I have the right kind of insurance.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

I doubt it would happen in the USA or where I am in the U.K.
Also I do agree with aunty Jane here, that it is alleged.
I am kind of grateful I live in the U.K. anyway, I don’t have to worry about whether I can afford treatment Or whether I have the right kind of insurance.

If you read the conscience clause linked you might notice physicians religious conviction in America can impact a patient.

 

[Rita]

If you read the conscience clause linked you might notice physicians religious conviction in America can impact a patient.

Yes, I saw that, but surely there would be enough professional people who would take over in this kind of situation. Just say , for arguments sake , that you knew you couldn’t do something because it crossed a line with your conscience , well would you not inform someone in advance so that it could be taken into account, I would.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

Yes, I saw that, but surely there would be enough professional people who would take over in this kind of situation. Just say , for arguments sake , that you knew you couldn’t do something because it crossed a line with your conscience , well would you not inform someone in advance so that it could be taken into account, I would.

I would as well. However,you never know till the occasion arises.

For example,if the reporting from Nigeria is correct,why wouldn't those attending this C-section procedure find a different Doctor so to insure this woman got that life saving transfusion?

Or,go themselves as an OR nurse and get the blood and transfuse her?

Some Doctors are known to have a God complex. I knew one.

Often enough those who are their subordinates ,while possibly not seeing them in that same God complex way, can still find themselves afraid to speak up. Even when the Doctor is out of line.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Yes, I saw that, but surely there would be enough professional people who would take over in this kind of situation. Just say , for arguments sake , that you knew you couldn’t do something because it crossed a line with your conscience , well would you not inform someone in advance so that it could be taken into account, I would.

In western nations there are many options (and legal responsibilities) in surgical cases so that a patient can rely on their doctor to do the right thing by them. We all rely on the doctor’s knowledge, skill and integrity to get us through any surgery.

My daughter had major surgery just a couple of months ago, where transfusions are a routine part of the procedure, so she had to find a doctor with the skills to perform the surgery without blood. Having found one who was more than willing to do the operation, they had a cell salvage machine at the ready, should anything go wrong. This machine collects the blood directly from the patient and cleans and filters it back in continuous circulation, which is acceptable to us. The whole team was prepared for this surgery as they wanted to have experience with the cell salvage machine, but the surgeon was so careful that she lost barely 30 mls of blood during the operation, so the machine wasn’t needed, and she was actually doing so well after the operation that they let her go home only two days later.

There are many safer options than blood transfusions.

The video I posted was from an Australian Government website….nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
It is posted on UTube….for any who may be brave enough to face the truth….

Risks of blood transfusions

The hype attached to these sensational stories gets the prejudice juices all fired up and they are all too willing and ready to condemn in their ignorance. It’s on them. “As you judge, so you will be judged”….eating crow is not a tasty dish.

If we were not there to substantiate the story, and there are only allegations with no real facts…..who has the right to pass judgment? They are right here, sadly.

 

[Rita]

Yes, I know there are a number of risks with transfusions, but if it was a choice between living or dying then most people would see the other risks as being worth taking. For all the risks there are many people that have them without any issues, and in many cases they have a better quality of life.
Having said that, I was under the impression that the reason the JWs will not have transfusions is based on scripture, not on modern day potentials of them being harmful. ( or at least that’s what my uncle in law told me - I never understood why he would explain that then go and have a steak that was so rare the blood was all over his plate

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

Yes, I know there are a number of risks with transfusions, but if it was a choice between living or dying then most people would see the other risks as being worth taking. For all the risks there are many people that have them without any issues, and in many cases they have a better quality of life.
Having said that, I was under the impression that the reason the JWs will not have transfusions is based on scripture, not on modern day potentials of them being harmful. ( or at least that’s what my uncle in law told me - I never understood why he would explain that then go and have a steak that was so rare the blood was all over his plate

With regard to the JW prohibition of blood transfusion I think we have to recognize they do not proceed from an actual Biblical standpoint.

The book , The New World Translation, JWs go by was entirely manufactured by a panel affiliated with Watchtower. They chose to create a book they compiled by excising Bible passages and adding them into their book project when those Bible passages could then be made to comport with Watchtower doctrine.

JW organization is a cult by definition.

Also, blood transfusion has come a long way since the era of the bronze age. If Christians are pro-life, they can't then prefer someone die for want of blood.

Christian Science faith has racked up enough bodies to its cult ideology as it is. That all needs to stop.

Yes,free to believe. Not,never,free to cost lives in the name of faith that insists they are worthless Compared to a cults ideology.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Yes, I know there are a number of risks with transfusions, but if it was a choice between living or dying then most people would see the other risks as being worth taking. For all the risks there are many people that have them without any issues, and in many cases they have a better quality of life.
Having said that, I was under the impression that the reason the JWs will not have transfusions is based on scripture, not on modern day potentials of them being harmful. ( or at least that’s what my uncle in law told me - I never understood why he would explain that then go and have a steak that was so rare the blood was all over his plate

Since the ignorance is being perpetuated, please know that our decision to refuse blood is entirely biblical….the fact that it has now been shown to be a dangerous practice by medical practitioners themselves, simply reinforces the Bible’s clear statements. This command is reiterated three times in the Bible…..in three different eras…..and can be seen in any Bible translation.

The first mention is to Noah, when man was given permission to eat the flesh of animals….

Gen 9:3-6 NASB….
”Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed,For in the image of God He made man.”

To Israel as part of his law God said….
Deut 12:15-16….NASB…
”However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, whatever you desire, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the deer. Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.”

And to the Christians it was said…
Acts 15:28-29 NASB….
”For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

In all three eras, blood could not be consumed because of its sacredness to God. If you believe that the manner of consumption makes a difference, then consider how a patient is fed when “nil by mouth” is ordered by the doctor. The patient is fed intravenously.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not force their beliefs on others, but we will not break God’s law even to save our own lives. But we do not believe that lives have to be lost because we won’t accept a blood transfusion….there are many alternative therapies available today, as well as whole hospitals now dedicated to non-blood management of their patients. The video explains why blood is no longer regarded as “life saving” anymore. Be aware that it is a very lucrative business and not one that they will let go of easily.

Mark 8:35-38…Jesus says…
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

This is our position, and others are free to make their own choices…..but informed choices are the only ones worth making.

And just so that you understand your “Uncle-in-law”, @Rita , the animals had to be properly bled in order to be able to consume their flesh….the juices that run from a steak is more muscle fluid than blood.
Showing respect for the sanctity of blood is what God required. No one was asked to wash every last drop of it out of the animal.

 

[Berean]

You spread gossip with malicious intent…without checking the validity of the subject, or the people making the claims.….that speak a lot about you.

Gossip? I post a news article which you decalre to be "fake news"

You come across as a trouble-making hater who has nothing better to do than diss those who disagree with you.

I don't hate anybody and if exposing error and hypocrisy is being a trouble-maker, then so be it.

We do not force our beliefs on others…..

No, you just condemn to second death all those who refuse to accept your views.

Tell me Jane, why are you here if it's not to spread what you believe to be the "Good News"? Your organization proclaims to be God's sole channel on earth, the only true religion, and that EVERY other religion, church or denomination is of the devil. So you tell me who is "dissing" who?