Nigeria, March 21 -- The Jehovah's Witnesses, a religious organisation, has announced an update to their long-standing policy on blood transfusions.

Gerrit Losch, a senior figure in the church, revealed the decision in a video published on JW.org on Friday, stating that it followed a review by the Governing Body.

He explained that the revised guidance now allows members to have their own blood removed, stored and later returned to them during medical procedures.

He said: "Therefore, after much prayer and consideration of the scriptures, the Governing Body has decided to clarify our position on the use of a patient's own blood in medical and surgical care. The clarification is this. Each Christian must decide for himself how his own blo...