Cebu City – On January 17, 2025, Jehovah’s Witnesses, through their Hospital Liaison Committee (HLC) in Cebu, participated in Chong Hua Hospital's virtual forum entitled "Between Life and Belief: Navigating Ethical Crossroads in Emergency Care." The event, organized by the Department of Anesthesiology, brought together approximately 180 medical professionals, fostering a meaningful discussion on balancing ethical and medical considerations in emergency care.

The participation of Jehovah's Witnesses highlighted their unwavering commitment to life-saving medical care while adhering to their Biblical beliefs, including their well-known position on blood transfusions.

Promoting a Collaborative Approach in Patient Care

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not against medicine or surgery; in fact, many of their members are medical professionals. However, their faith is guided by Bible principles, particularly those found in Acts 15:20 and Genesis 9:4, which direct them to abstain from blood. This belief is not a rejection of modern healthcare but a call for innovative, non-blood medical treatments.

During the forum, the HLC emphasized their collaborative approach to working with medical teams. Their presentation outlined strategies to preempt the use of allogeneic blood transfusion, such as employing advanced surgical techniques and alternative medical treatments. The HLC also introduced the comprehensive information network established by Jehovah’s Witnesses, which supports clinicians by sharing best practices and resources for non-blood medical care.

A Platform for Ethical Discussions

The forum provided a platform for medical professionals to better understand how they can align life-saving medical procedures with the ethical and religious considerations of patients. By actively participating in discussions, Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrated their proactive stance on ensuring quality medical care while respecting their deeply held beliefs.

The presentation also addressed common misconceptions, emphasizing that Jehovah’s Witnesses value life and actively seek medical care for themselves and their families. Through case studies and real-world examples, the HLC illustrated how collaboration between medical professionals and patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses can lead to successful outcomes, even in complex emergency scenarios.

Witnessing Through Healthcare Advocacy

For Jehovah’s Witnesses, participation in this forum was not only about sharing their perspective but also about fostering understanding and cooperation. It served as a public witness to their respect for life and their dedication to promoting ethical and medically sound solutions.

The event underscored the importance of communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and patients to navigate ethical crossroads in medical care. It also showcased the strides being made in non-blood medical treatments, which have been proven effective and are increasingly recognized by the global medical community.

An Invitation to Learn More

As Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to advocate for ethical, innovative medical care within the framework of their faith, they invite interested individuals to visit jw.org. The site provides free resources, including Bible-based guides for everyday living and more information on their position regarding healthcare and ethical considerations.

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