Jehovah’s Witnesses update blood transfusion policy

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced a significant change to its long-standing policy regarding blood transfusions. Under the new guidelines, individual congregants may now choose to accept specific blood components—including red cells, white cells, plasma, or platelets—based on their personal conscience. The core religious prohibition against the transfusion of whole blood remains unchanged.

International spokesperson Paul Gillies stated that the decision places the responsibility on the individual, noting that the Bible does not explicitly address these specific components. This shift follows previous adjustments regarding blood fractions and aims to allow followers to navigate modern medical care while maintaining their faith.

Health officials, including South African Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, have welcomed the decision, describing it as a “giant leap.” The Department of Health noted that the previous prohibition created substantial challenges for healthcare providers, particularly in emergency and critical care settings. The change is expected to alleviate the need for legal interventions, which were previously required in cases involving children whose parents refused transfusions on religious grounds.