Jehovah’s Witnesses to use their own stored blood in medical care — Governing Body clarifies

Health, International, Lifestyle

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 21, 2026 — On Thursday, April 2, 2026, after sundown, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide will gather to commemorate the Memorial of Jesus’ death. This announcement was part of the Governing Body Update #2, 2026, released in a 16-minute video on jw.org. viewed by Newpost Africa on Friday.

In the update, a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Brother Gerrit Lösch, provided an important clarification regarding the use of a patient’s own blood in medical procedures.

He explained that Christians obey God by following His command to abstain from blood. While Jehovah’s Witnesses are not under the Mosaic Law, the biblical directive to avoid blood remains binding. However, Lösch noted that the Bible does not specifically address the use of one’s own blood in medical or surgical care.

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As a result, each Witness must personally decide how their own blood may be handled in medical therapy or surgery. This includes routine procedures such as blood tests, as well as more complex treatments involving the temporary removal and reinfusion of blood, such as dialysis or the use of heart-lung machines.

Brother Lösch stated:  “After much prayer and consideration of the Scriptures, the Governing Body has decided to clarify our position on the use of a patient’s own blood in medical and surgical care. Each patient must decide for himself how his own blood will be used. This includes whether to allow his blood to be removed, stored, and then given back to him.”

He emphasised that while some Witnesses may choose to permit storage and reinfusion of their own blood, others may object. The decision is a matter of personal conscience.

Importantly, this clarification does not alter the Witnesses’ long-standing refusal to accept transfusions of donor blood. Instead, it provides members with the freedom to decide whether to use their own stored blood for medical procedures.