Jehovah's witness 'refused blood' during emergency birth

A young African woman and a member of the Jehovah's witness faith who suffered a massive blood loss after giving birth in the Coombe hospital refused a transfusion on a number of occasions, the High Court heard yesterday.

Today, Ms Fifina Paulo told the action brought by the Dublin Maternity hospital arising out a decision to seek a court order to allow them transfuse the woman, who spoke little English, who lost a lot of blood, that she translated to Ms K that medical staff believed she needed a transfusion and her life was at risk.