A 27-year-old Ghanaian woman has died after declining a life-saving blood transfusion during fibroid surgery, citing her religious beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness.
The incident, which has sparked widespread debate, was shared on social media by Victoria Maame Adwoa Pokuaa.
She revealed that the young woman, identified only as Adwoa, was her friend’s partner and passed away shortly after the operation.
According to Pokuaa, Adwoa’s blood level dropped critically low during surgery, but she rejected the doctor’s recommendation for a transfusion in line with her church’s doctrine.
“She was in a life-and-death condition but still refused the blood because she is a Jehovah’s Witness. Sadly, she went home and died before dawn,” Pokuaa recounted.
She criticised the decision, describing it as a needless loss of life caused by blind loyalty to religious rules.
“No disrespect, but some of these church teachings don’t make sense when health is at stake. Forget people’s beliefs and do what’s right for yourself, because if you die, life goes on for others,” she warned.
The tragic incident has reignited public discussion on the conflict between medical intervention and religious convictions in Ghana.
