Pregnant Woman Dies After Hospital Reportedly Denies Blood Transfusion Due to Religious Beliefs

Tragedy struck in the Borikiri area of Port Harcourt as a seven-months pregnant woman, Victoria Paris, reportedly died following complications from a cesarean section, after the hospital where she was operated on allegedly refused to administer a blood transfusion based on religious grounds.

The deceased, a mother of four and native of Koluama in Bayelsa State, was rushed to Standard Maternity Hospital when she went into preterm labour.

According to her brother-in-law, Chris Adams, medical personnel at the hospital carried out a cesarean section, but Victoria was left critically short of blood post-operation.

Shocking the family, the hospital’s owner, reportedly a member of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, allegedly refused to authorise a blood transfusion, citing religious convictions.

With Victoria’s condition deteriorating, the family urgently moved her to another nearby hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities have yet to comment on whether any investigation has been launched.