The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has changed its policy on blood transfusions.

The Governing Body announced that each Witness, if they choose, can accept or donate red cells, white cells, plasma, or platelets.

This follows a long-standing religious belief that Witnesses should abstain from blood. As such, the transfusion of whole blood (all blood components) remains prohibited.

“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God… We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah,” said Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at their World Headquarters.

READ MORE: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components

The National Health Department’s Foster Mohale said the prohibition of blood transfusion has posed a major challenge for the healthcare system, especially in emergency and critical cases, but noted that the department has welcomed this historic decision.

“For decades, the religious prohibition on blood transfusion posed a major challenge to the healthcare system, specifically in emergency and critical care settings. Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention that directly addresses life-threatening deficits in oxygen delivery and haemostasis (the stopping of bleeding), and enables complex medical procedures that would otherwise be unsafe,” said Mohale.

He said the prohibition on whole blood transfusions is not a setback, as they are uncommon.

“Whole blood is extremely unaffordable and, in many cases, not needed. There are very few circumstances under which whole blood need to be transfused.”

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said this decision by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses relieves the pressure on healthcare workers.

“Many [health care workers] had to resort to the courts in order to save innocent children from the beliefs of their parents.”