Durban doctor takes battle to save boy's life to court
The KZN Health MEC has thrown his support behind an Addington Hospital doctor - who went to court to get a blood transfusion for a five-year-old boy approved - after his parents refused to give their consent.
The Sunday Times reported that the doctor secured an interim order last month, allowing her to give what she said was life-saving treatment to the boy who has sickle cell anaemia.
The case was back in the Durban High Court last week when the child's parents said they would oppose the granting of final relief onreligious grounds as they are Jehovah's Witnesses.
According to their website, Jehovah's Witnesses say they don't accept blood transfusions because the Bible commands that they abstain from blood and because they respect God who gives life.
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MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo says as doctors - they are bound by the Hippocratic Oath.
"We take an oath when we complete our training - that neither race, sex nor religion will make me withhold treatment intervention or any programme that will make a person live and be safe from dying. This is what confronted her, we support her and continue supporting her," Dhlomo said.