A Nigerian widower, Emmanuel Timothy, has decided to press charges against members of his wife’s family who refused to allow her get blood transfusion after loosing so much blood during surgery, eventually leading to her death.
Timothy told the News Agency of Nigeria that his deceased wife, Grace, who was a member of theJehovah Witness, died on Monday at the National Hospital, Abuja because her family refused to consent to her having a blood transfusion. She was a police corporal, assigned to the Wuse Zone 3 Police Division, Abuja.
“She lost her pregnancy at seven months, which resulted in a surgery to get the baby out. After the surgery she had complications. When she complained of serious stomach ache, we rushed her to the National Hospital where the doctor said her stomach had to be flushed. But, before the flushing, they said she needed blood transfusion because she had already lost such much blood. However, she did not get the blood transfusion because her religion and family forbid blood transfusion,” Timothy said.
Speaking on pressing charges, he said “I have to press charges because they prevented my wife from receiving blood transfusion.”
“Over our dead body. It is better she dies than for her to take another person’s blood,’’ they said to me.
Timothy was at the police station to report the wife’s death.
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Her death is very sad and what makes it even more painful is that it could have been avoided. The decision to accept blood transfusion in most hospitals lies on the patient or his or her family. If there is a refusal, it is usually premised on religious or cultural reasons.
However, in some cases where the doctor knows a patient will most likely die if he or she does not accept blood transfusion, is it right to override the decision of the patient or family and give the patient blood?
What are your thoughts?
- Elfrida Oyoyo Mr edeson,hop uar nt critsing jehovah's witnesses here.Its a personal decision,
had it bin dis woman died after bin transfused,no one wuld b talking about it.if i were in her shoes i wuld hav don d same cos Gods word d bible says"ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD."& dat includes injectin into our body. - Faith O. Adiele Obedience to God's commandment is beta than human thoughts.God who is the owner of our life clearly warns through His word the bible that we shld abstain from blood!!
- Kehinde Adenike D husband shd hav known better before marrying one of them. It is their way of life, i once had a neighbour who lost their daughter bcos they did not allow d doctor to do blood transfusion for her. If it is their belief, there is nothing anyone can do
- Emannuel Ekaji M nt discriminating bt it's damn rubbish. @oyoyo u said if u were in her shoes u wud av done d xame! It's very easy to xay dat bt d question is if u were to die, wnt u accept any condition necesary 4 u to live ?
- Prince Ifekorede Harbeehardey Awesu to hell wit d parent,wat is d meaning of dat jehovah witness?may tunder strike dem 2 death 4 killing dat girl.
- Anderson Uzonna Ezerih · 2 mutual friendsThe word of God is alive. Hope 2c her in the new system of things where death will b no more. We are indeed slaves to death.
When God says in his word the bible that we shld abstain from blood, its simply for our own good. He's a loving father and knows its wrong.
Mr Timothy pls accept my condolence. If u hav hope for resurrection, you will see her again. I hope what I've said will not heat up any arguement as I don't intend to comment fuda. Tnx. - Daisy Idehen · Friends with Omofoma EigbeWen God in d Bible said abstain from blood,He meant we shuld abstain 4rm unnecessary sharin of blood,dat is 2 say we as believers shuld nt kill,dis can b seen in d story of Cain and Abel.Pls God did not say blood shuld nt be transfused 2 save a life.Infact the parents of dat young lady have commitd murder.
- Joel Aghazie · Friends with Okwuosa Gracious@Daisy there was no condition in that command. From onset when God gave man(Noah in Gen9 vs 4$5) the consensus to eat animal he laid that command not to eat blood. God went further to explain his reason in Lev 18 vs 14 that the soul of every flesh is i...See More
- Ezdyke Chiamaka Jehovah said"abtain frm blood"so weder tranfused or eaten through d mouth,is sin against God,
