Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Lagos‑based woman known widely on social media as Aunty Esther has died after declining a medically recommended blood transfusion amid her battle with cancer, a development that has prompted intense discussion across the nation about the clash between religious belief and medical treatment.
Esther Mensah — a 38‑year‑old breast cancer patient and member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith — passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, after weeks of public attention focused on her decision to reject blood transfusion as part of her treatment regimen. Her caregiver confirmed news of her death in a post on social media, with supporters offering condolences and reflecting on the controversy that preceded her passing.
The case attracted national attention after Nigerians rallied to raise nearly ₦30.7 million for her medical care through public donations coordinated by a charity advocate known online as @Wizarab10. The fundraising effort aimed to support her battle against advanced breast cancer and was widely shared across social platforms, drawing contributions from scores of well‑wishers.
However, despite the generous public support, Ms. Mensah consistently refused a blood transfusion endorsed by her doctors, citing her religious convictions. As a Jehovah’s Witness, she adhered to a doctrinal prohibition against accepting blood products — a belief grounded in particular interpretations of scripture that regard blood as sacred and impermissible for medical use. Her faith‑based refusal stood at the centre of an impassioned national debate over the appropriate balance between individual religious freedom and recommended medical standards.
Doctors had reportedly explained to Ms. Mensah that a transfusion was necessary to bolster her blood levels ahead of vital treatments such as chemotherapy. Alternative treatment options that avoided blood transfusion were discussed, but these were understood to be more complex and costly, although still within the scope of the funds raised. Ms. Mensah and her family elected to pursue treatment aligned with her beliefs, a decision she defended publicly in updates shared online before her health deteriorated.
The public response has been sharply divided. Supporters of Ms. Mensah’s autonomy cite constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of religion and personal choice in medical decisions, emphasising that competent adults have the legal right to refuse treatment even when it may be life‑saving. Critics, however, lament what they describe as an avoidable loss, questioning whether public donations should be utilised in ways that may preclude the most effective medical interventions.
Religious commentators have also weighed in, with some urging greater sensitivity to faith‑based perspectives on healthcare, while others advocate for nuanced engagement between religious communities and medical practitioners to avoid similar outcomes in the future. The discourse has extended beyond Nigeria’s borders, resonating with broader questions about how societies reconcile deeply held beliefs with evolving medical practice.
Healthcare professionals observing the situation have highlighted the difficult ethical terrain navigated by clinicians who must respect patient autonomy while striving to provide the best possible medical care. In Nigeria and elsewhere, such cases illustrate the tension between respect for individual beliefs and the imperative to prevent avoidable deaths.
As the national conversation continues, Ms. Mensah’s death has become a focal point for debate on medical ethics, faith and the responsibilities attached to public fundraising for healthcare. Families, religious leaders and policymakers are increasingly discussing how to engage communities in informed decision‑making while ensuring that life‑saving options are clearly communicated and accessible.
For many Nigerians, the loss of Aunty Esther has been deeply personal — a reminder of both the fragility of life and the complexity of choices faced when faith and medicine intersect. As advocacy for patient education and dialogue grows, the broader implications of her story may shape how similar situations are approached in the future.
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