Transfusion turned down out of respect (From Stroud News and Journal)

Transfusion turned down out of respect

A STROUD grandfather who died after refusing a blood transfusion did it as a final mark of respect for his family who are Jehovah's Witnesses.

Doctors told retired engineer Miklos Biro they needed to amputate his leg because of a blood clot and that he would need transfusions afterwards.

But Hungary-born Mr Biro, of Barrowfield Road, Stroud, turned down the operation and transfusions - which are against the doctrine followed by Jehovah's Witnesses - and later died at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Speaking after an inquest into Mr Biro's death held in Gloucester on Wednesday his son John, 39, praised his father's courage and thoughtful actions.

"I believe he did it as a mark of respect to us," he said, adding that he would also refuse a transfusion.

Although Mr Biro was not a member of the faith, his wife was a follower and John and his brother were brought up as Jehovah's Witnesses, and he knew how much the teachings meant to his family.

"Dad was never in the faith but he was so desperately ill when he went into hospital that I believe he didn't want to carry on," said John. "He had just had enough so when they offered him the transfusion he had given up hope anyway."

Mr Biro - who had lived in Stroud since coming to the UK in 1956 - was devoted to his family and was known as a strong willed character. "He was a doting grandfather and loved his wife very much," said John, Mr Biro's youngest son.

"He had a good sense of humour but was very strong willed and when he had made his mind up it was hard to convince him otherwise. "He was a very quiet man who kept himself to himself, but everyone who knew him liked him a lot."

Mr Biro leaves Maria, his wife of 47 years, who worships at Stroud's Kingdom Hall, two sons, a daughter and eight grandchildren. He was admitted to hospital on August 17 after twisting his ankle, causing his foot to go worryingly cold.

Doctors suspected the cause was a blockage of a by-pass vein-graft inserted in 2000.

Treatments were either an amputation or blood-thinning - both of which would have involved transfusions.

Verdict: accidental death.