Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette says he has proof a 26-year-old Jehovah's Witness woman who died during childbirth at a hospital near Quebec City understood the risks of refusing a blood transfusion, but insisted one not be performed. Barrette said he has "documentation" that shows the patient was "perfectly informed" about the procedure and the risks of refusing blood transfusions, which the Jehovah's Witness faith forbids. She alleges Dupuis was pressured into refusing consent for a blood transfusion by the Jehovah's Witness hospital liaison committee, which she said was present in the woman's room. The committee, made up of Jehovah's Witness elders, works with families and physicians to ensure the faith's medical care doctrines are respected. CBC Montreal contacted the Jehovah's Witness congregation in Lévis and is awaiting a response.

Source: CBC News October 20, 2016 20:02 UTC