A Congolese woman who refused a blood transfusion on religious grounds after giving birth in a Dublin maternity hospital was a lifelong Jehovah's Witness and had not converted to the faith several weeks previously, the High Court was told yesterday.
Fifina Paulo said her friend, known as Ms K, had not converted to the Jehovah's Witness faith from Catholicism six weeks before giving birth at the Coombe Women's Hospital in Dublin on September 21st, 2006.
Ms K had become a member of the Jehovah's Witness faith before coming to Ireland in April 2006, she said.
Ms Paulo was continuing her evidence in the action by the hospital arising from its decision to seek a court order to allow it transfuse Ms K (24) in September 2006. The hospital secured the order after Ms K suffered a massive haemorrhage after a difficult birth but declared that she would not accept blood on religious grounds.
The hospital claims Ms K's constitutional rights to freedom of conscience and the free practice of religion did not allow her to decline appropriate medical treatment.
It argues that it would be contrary to public order and morality if Ms K could be permitted to place her life in immediate danger by declining routine medical treatment and a general duty to protect and safeguard the woman's right to life, her personal rights and the family life of Ms K and her child.
Ms K denies the claims and, in a counter-claim, contends the administration of the transfusion was a breach of her rights.
Ms Paulo told John Rogers SC, for Ms K, that while Ms K was being treated, one of the medical staff had said she would not need a blood transfusion if she did not bleed again.
Gerard Hogan SC said this evidence had never been put to any of the hospital witnesses.
Mr Rogers said it had been put to one of the Coombe's witness.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy said the matter could be dealt with in later legal submissions.